From a San Francisco diocesan school to a Moraga campus, the Gaels evolve

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Established in 1863, Saint Mary's College of California has navigated a storied history across the Bay Area. From its origins as a boys' school to its modern identity as a coeducational institution, the college has transformed through naval training, athletic dominance, and a unique, seminar-based approach to liberal arts education.

Founded in 1863 by Archbishop Joseph Alemany, Saint Mary's College began as a diocesan school for boys. By 1868, the institution transitioned to the administration of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The college moved from San Francisco to Oakland in 1889, occupying a site known as The Brickpile until a fire forced a relocation to its current home in Moraga in 1928. The college remained male-only until 1970, when it became coeducational, a shift that significantly altered its demographics; by 2011, women comprised 62% of the student body.

Academically, Saint Mary's is defined by its liberal arts focus and the Collegiate Seminar program, which requires all students to engage with seminal texts. The college also offers the Integral Liberal Arts Program, a distinct 'college-within-a-college' modeled after St. John's College. This intensive four-year curriculum replaces standard lecture-based courses with a seminar-style approach, where students analyze mathematics, science, and classics through discussion rather than traditional problem sets. The academic calendar follows a '4-1-4' system, featuring an intensive January Term that encourages students to explore subjects outside their major.

The college's athletic history is equally notable, ranging from the flamboyant football era of coach Edward 'Slip' Madigan—who led the team to a 1939 Cotton Bowl victory—to its modern reputation as a mid-major basketball powerhouse. The Gaels have gained international recognition for recruiting Australian talent, including NBA players Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. Beyond sports, the campus houses the Saint Mary's College Museum of Art, which holds over 5,000 objects, including the comprehensive William Keith Collection. Today, the institution continues to balance its Lasallian heritage with a commitment to community service and academic rigor, maintaining a student-faculty ratio of 13:1.

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