Gator Gridiron Club Enshrines New Hall of Fame Class and Supports Today’s SFSU Student-Athletes

SFSU sports legends gathered on campus for the Gator Gridiron Club 2026 Legends and Leadership Luncheon on April 24 to induct four new members to the SFSU Gridiron Hall of Fame.

New inductees include Philip Ferrigno, lineman,1981; Gifford Lindheim, receiver, 1991-95; Kirk Waller, quarterback, 1971-73; and John “Jack” Tandy, lineman, 1940, who died tragically from head injuries sustained in a game at the age of 21.

Also honored with the Allen Abraham Cornerstone Award for their ongoing support of the Gator Gridiron Club were SFSU Executive Director of Development David Fierberg and Associate Director of Alumni Events Ken Maeshiro.

The festive event included remarks from several past football greats as well as Director of Athletics Brandon Davis. The keynote address was delivered by Dan Ferrigno, wide receiver, 1971-74, Gridiron Hall of Fame member and brother of new inductee Philip Ferrigno. Dan reflected on his decades-long coaching career and the path from Cox Stadium to high schools and universities across the country

The Gator Gridiron Club celebrates the history of SFSU football and supports student athletes as they strive to succeed on the field of play and in the classroom.

The Club supports two scholarships set up to help current student athletes: the Vic Rowen Scholarship and the Allen Abraham Scholarship. Additionally, the Gridiron Club has a Club General Support Fund that helps produce events such as the Gridiron Hall of Fame and Legends and Leadership Luncheons.

This Year’s Hall of Fame Inductees

Philip Ferrigno 

Ferrigno came to SFSU from Archbishop Riordan High School and City College of San Francisco. A protege of Vic Rowen, Philip’s exceptional coaching record after his SFSU career at San Francisco’s Lincoln High School places him among the city’s most successful coaches of all time, having won 158 games, with 10 city titles and three state championships. Philip’s work with Special Olympics and Next Level Flag Football has earned special respect in the community. He was elected to the Archbishop Riordan Hall of Fame as a player, and as a head coach at both Lincoln and Sacred Heart Cathedral, and the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame.

Gifford Lindheim 

Lindheim came to SFSU from University High School in Southern California and was a Gator team captain and 4-year player. Always a team leader, he earned the Gator Coaches Award and the Val Sakovich Career Award. In addition to his degree in kinesiology from SFSU, he has master’s degrees in education and administration. His coaching achievements are exceptional. In his last eight seasons as head coach at El Camino College in Torrance, CA, his teams have gone to a bowl game every year. Beloved by his players and respected by his peers, Lindheim was named Conference Coach of the Year seven times, as well as California State Coach of the Year.

Kirk Waller 

Waller was initially recruited to New Mexico State, where he played for one year before transferring to SFSU. He is second all-time in passing touchdowns and passing yards for the Gators, connecting with Hall of Fame receivers Jeff Jensen, Jens Holmgren, and Dan Ferrigno. He was the All-Far West Conference quarterback in 1973, leading the league in passing yards. After graduation, his work in special education was extraordinary, teaching, managing and innovating for young people throughout San Diego County. He established programs for the underserved, including the introduction of physical education to their curriculum. Kirk retired as District Counselor for 45 school districts in San Diego County.

Jack Tandy

Tandy, an SFSU lineman in 1940, received an honorary tribute. He suffered a head injury in a game against Cal Poly and never regained consciousness. The Cal Poly school newspaper reported at the time: “… his death has cast a shadow over the entire campus this last week. To his parents, relatives, and the students of San Francisco State who were his friends we express our deepest sympathies. Poly shall never let his memory die.”