Alex G. Spanos founded A. G. Spanos Companies in 1960 and has owned the San Diego Chargers since 1982. In addition to attending all Charger games during the National Football League season, Spanos also has played golf with best friend Bob Hope on some of the most prestigious courses around the world and was invited to represent the United States in the 1960 British Amateur Championship.

Spanos was an aerospace engineering major at Cal Poly, attending the university in 1941 and 1942. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving until the war ended in 1945. While a Cal Poly student, he participated in men's swimming and diving and was the drum major for the Mustang Marching Band.

Following his military service, Spanos earned varsity letters in both swimming and diving at College of the Pacific in 1946.

Throughout his life, Spanos has been a benefactor to countless sports activities -- from little leagues to high school and college athletic programs to major community sports events -- as well as sharing his good fortune by donating millions to benefit charities, educational institutions, hospitals, churches and civic organizations.

His extraordinary donation to renovate Mustang Stadium -- now named Alex G. Spanos Stadium -- is one of the most significant gifts in the history of Cal Poly Athletics. The Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre (formerly the Cal Poly Theater) is named in honor of Spanos as well.

Spanos is a 1974 Cal Poly Distinguished Alumnus and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during 2004 Spring Commencement, bestowed by the CSU Board of Trustees in recognition of his lifetime service, leadership and philanthropy.

The A. G. Spanos California Tour, recognized as one of the top four developmental golf tours in the country, ran from 2004-06 and Spanos opened his golf course in Stockton, The Reserve at Spanos Park, in 1999. He has hosted the A. G. Spanos Celebrity Pro-Am since 2002.

Spanos was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987 and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the U.S. Presidential delegation to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 2004.