University of San Diego Magazine 75th Anniversary 2024

Honoring a Legend S trange though it may seem, when John Cunningham filled out his first lineup card as manager of the USD baseball team back in 1964, his biggest challenge wasn’t fielding the best lineup possible; it was finding an actual field to play on. At the time, the Toreros played just about anywhere they could find a suitable space, including Ocean Beach’s Robb Field, the Linda Vista recreation area, Mesa College and parks in National City and El Cajon. Unfazed by the scheduling challenges, Cunningham built the framework for a program that has since become one of the most successful sports teams in school history. During the next 35 years, he directed the Toreros to 843 victories, 16 winning seasons and four NCAA regional appearances, including trips to the College World Series in 1971 and 1978. He was named the WCC Coach of the Year twice (1993 and 1998), and 47 of his players signed professional contracts, with 10 advancing to the Major Leagues. Those myriad and impressive accomplishments have earned Cunningham a permanent place of honor in Torero Athletics history, and his many achievements were recently celebrated by the San Diego Sports Association, who named Cunningham the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award.

“The character and commitment of all of the players has been the key to our success.”

And while soccer is, and always will be, a sport where success is driven by the sum of the parts, players like Tunbridge go a long way in keeping championship aspirations afloat. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Tunbridge was named Second Team All-American, just the eighth Torero in program history to ever earn that prestigious honor and just the fourth in the last 25 years. It capped an incredibly successful season for the team captain and London, England, native, who also was named the 2023 WCC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-West Region and First Team All-WCC.

While Tunbridge may have garnered the bulk of the spotlight for his on-field exploits, it should be noted that no less than 11 other players scored during the season and 12 others had assists. Defensively, they earned 12 shutouts, ranking them among the top 15 teams in the nation in that category. Ultimately, a heartbreaking loss to California Baptist University in the first round of the NCAA tournament brought the 2023 season to a close. However, given their commitment to maintaining a team first culture, as well as their position atop the WCC, Quinn believes the arrow continues to point upward for the program. “The character and commitment of all of the players has been the key to our success,” he said. “The leadership from our captains and senior players has been immense. They have set the precedent that this next group of players want to aspire to. Our message in 2024 will be the same as it’s been since I’ve been here — no plays off, no shortcuts and team first, team second and team always.” •

PHOTO: COURTESY OF USD ATHLETICS

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