The nickname was given to the school's football team (now discontinued) in 1926 by Pat Frayne, a writer for the now defunct San Francisco Call-Bulletin.

The Gaels finished second in the WCC in the 2012–13 season and received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, defeating Middle Tennessee in a "First Four" matchup before losing in the second round to Memphis.

Penalties included a reduction in scholarships, four years probation and a five-game suspension for head coach Randy Bennett.

[6] Past alumni from Saint Mary's who current play in the NBA include Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.

A Gaels basketball alumnus who became more notable outside the sport is two-time Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali, who played under his original name of Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore.

The Gaels finished the season ranked among the top ten college rugby teams in the country for three consecutive years.

[14] In the 2013 spring playoffs, St. Mary's defeated Colorado in the quarterfinals and Cal Poly in the semifinals, before losing 16–14 in the national championship match to Life University.

[12] In 2015, St. Mary's repeated as Division 1-A champion, again defeating Life University in the final 30–24 behind the efforts of MVP center Dylan Audesley.

[18] The Gaels participated at the 2012 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships, defeating Texas A&M and Navy to reach the semifinals.