What Is 1978 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1978 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos football team represented California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in the 1978 NCAA Division II football season, finishing with a 4–6 record under head coach Roman Gabriel. The team competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and played home games at Kellogg Field. This season occurred during a transitional period before the program was discontinued in 1982.

Key Facts

The 1978 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos football team had a 4–6 overall record
Head coach Roman Gabriel was in his third season leading the team
The team played home games at Kellogg Field in Pomona, California
Cal Poly Pomona competed in the NCAA Division II and the CCAA conference
The football program was discontinued after the 1982 season

Overview

The 1978 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos football team represented California State Polytechnic University, Pomona during the 1978 NCAA Division II football season. Competing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the Broncos struggled to achieve a winning record, reflecting broader challenges within the program during its final years.

Under the leadership of head coach Roman Gabriel, who was in his third season, the team finished with a 4–6 overall record. This performance continued a trend of inconsistent results that ultimately contributed to the university's decision to discontinue the football program just a few years later.

Season record: The Broncos finished the 1978 season with a 4–6 overall record, failing to qualify for postseason play.
Head coach: Roman Gabriel, a former NFL quarterback, led the team in his third year with a career college coaching record of 12–19 at Cal Poly Pomona.
Home stadium: The team played its home games at Kellogg Field, a small on-campus venue with limited seating capacity.
Conference: Cal Poly Pomona competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), a Division II conference.
Program timeline: The 1978 season occurred during the final decade of the program, which ended permanently in 1982.

How It Works

The Cal Poly Pomona football program operated as part of the NCAA Division II structure, with defined rules for eligibility, scheduling, and competition. The 1978 season followed standard collegiate football operations despite the program's limited resources.

Division II status: The Broncos competed in NCAA Division II, which balances athletic competition with academic focus and smaller athletic budgets.
Season structure: The team played a 10-game regular season schedule, typical for Division II programs in the late 1970s.
Roman Gabriel: Hired in 1976, Gabriel brought NFL experience but faced challenges in recruiting and program development.
Player recruitment: The team relied on regional talent, primarily from Southern California high schools and junior colleges.
Budget constraints: Cal Poly Pomona faced financial limitations compared to larger programs, affecting travel, equipment, and scholarships.
Program end: The university discontinued football after the 1982 season due to budget cuts and Title IX compliance requirements.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1978 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos with other CCAA football programs from the same era:

Team	1978 Record	Division	Conference	Program Status
Cal Poly Pomona	4–6	Division II	CCAA	Discontinued (1982)
Cal Poly SLO	7–3	Division II	CCAA	Active (moved to FCS)
UC Davis	8–2	Division II	CCAA	Active (FCS)
San Diego State	7–4	Division I-A	Independent	Active (FBS)
Long Beach State	3–8	Division I-A	Pacific Coast	Discontinued (1991)

This table highlights how Cal Poly Pomona's 1978 performance compared to regional peers. While some programs like UC Davis and Cal Poly SLO maintained football, others, like Long Beach State, also eventually dropped the sport. Cal Poly Pomona's struggles mirrored broader financial and institutional trends affecting smaller programs.

Why It Matters

The 1978 season is a snapshot of a program in decline, reflecting larger shifts in collegiate athletics, including budget constraints and Title IX compliance. Its discontinuation underscores the challenges faced by smaller football programs in maintaining viability.

Historical significance: The 1978 team represents the final phase of Cal Poly Pomona’s football history before its 1982 termination.
Title IX impact: Federal gender equity laws pressured schools to balance athletic offerings, leading to football cuts at some institutions.
Coaching legacy: Roman Gabriel’s tenure is notable as one of the few NFL alumni to coach at the Division II level.
Regional competition: The CCAA provided competitive structure, but limited resources hindered long-term success.
Alumni memory: Former players and fans preserve the program’s history through informal reunions and archives.
Modern relevance: The absence of football shapes Cal Poly Pomona’s current athletic identity, focused on non-revenue sports.

Though the Broncos no longer take the field, the 1978 season remains a documented chapter in the university’s athletic history, illustrating the evolving landscape of college sports in the late 20th century.