University of San Diego Magazine - Fall 2025

TOREROS MAKING WAVES

Reduce Your Tax Burden EVEN IF YOU DON’T ITEMIZE

IN MEMORIAM

If you’re age 70½ or older, there’s a smart way to make a difference in the lives of deserving University of San Diego students — make a charitable gift directly from your traditional IRA. This special giving option, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution or IRA Charitable Rollover, offers significant tax advantages: • Give up to $108,000 per individual as a tax-free outright gift from your IRA. • Make a one-time gift of up to $54,000 to fund a life income plan, such as a charitable gift annuity. • Satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution for the year. • Reduce your taxable income, even if you don’t itemize deductions. • Avoid limits on charitable deductions and prevent being pushed into a higher tax bracket. • Simplify your giving — just contact your IRA custodian to initiate the gift. LET’S MAKE IT EASY. To learn more or to get started, please contact: Erin Kathleen Jones, CFRE, CSPG Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts (619) 260-4523 ekjones@sandiego.edu

John Cunningham , legendary head baseball coach at USD from 1964 to 1998, died at the age of 88 in September. Known as the “soul of USD athletics,” Cunningham held many roles, including head baseball coach, assistant basketball coach and team bus driver. He was celebrated for his core values and deep love for the university, often saying, “This is where I was meant to be.” Before his long tenure at USD, Cunningham was an athlete at the University of San Francisco, where he played both basketball and baseball. He led the basketball team in scoring and rebounding, and was named Athlete of the Year. After a brief professional baseball career, he returned to San Diego in 1962, joining USD as an assistant basketball coach. He soon took on the head baseball coaching role, which he held for 25 seasons, retiring with a career record of 843-839-18. His teams made two Division II College World Series appearances. Beyond coaching, Cunningham was a beloved figure who connected with countless athletes and staff. He famously drove the Torero team bus for decades, enjoying the opportunity to get to know students from various sports. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame and the USD Athletics Hall of Fame, and Cunningham Field at Fowler Park is named in his honor.

It was a weekend filled with spirit and tradition! We hope to see you next year, Toreros! October 16-18, 2026 USDHomecoming.com

*This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

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