News Summary
John Cunningham, a stalwart in University of San Diego athletics, has passed away at 88. Celebrated for his dedication to coaching and mentoring, Cunningham influenced generations of athletes and played a pivotal role in the university’s sports legacy. His multifaceted career included coaching baseball and basketball, driving team buses, and fostering a strong sense of community within USD. Remarkably, he was also a talented athlete, achieving accolades at the college and Olympic levels. Plans to honor his contributions to USD are underway amidst the mourning of his loss.
San Diego – John Cunningham, a legendary figure in University of San Diego (USD) athletics, passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday night, leaving behind a profound legacy that spanned over six decades at the university. Throughout his long career, he held multiple roles, including head baseball coach, assistant basketball coach, bus driver, and the informal greeter of the campus.
Cunningham’s love for USD was apparent, as he often expressed how deeply he valued the university and its community. He was known for his strong core values and dedication to education, leadership, and mentorship, making a lasting impact on countless athletes and students.
Current USD baseball coach Brock Ungricht praised Cunningham for his commitment and described him as an educator, leader, and friend to many. Athletic director Kimya Massey referred to Cunningham as “the fabric of what USD is,” noting his revered and respected status within the community.
Cunningham graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1955 and went on to play basketball and baseball at the University of San Francisco (USF). During his senior year, he led the Dons in scoring with an average of 13.3 points per game and rebounding at 12.2 per game. He earned all-conference honors in both sports and was named USF’s Athlete of the Year.
In addition to his college achievements, Cunningham participated in the 1960 U.S. Olympic Basketball Trials as a member of the All-Army Team. After a brief stint with the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system, he returned to USD in 1962 to work under his former college coach, Phil Woolpert. He started as the assistant basketball coach and head coach of the freshman basketball team before taking on the role of head baseball coach in 1964.
Cunningham served as the head baseball coach at USD for 25 seasons, retiring in 1998 with a career record of 843 wins, 839 losses, and 18 ties. Under his leadership, the Toreros made two appearances in the Division II College World Series and reached postseason play four times. His coaching significantly influenced the careers of his players; 47 went on to play professionally, with seven making it to the Major Leagues. Notable players included three-time All-American Kerry Dineen, among others who received All-America baseball selections during their time at USD.
His impact extended beyond the field, as former player John Wathan described Cunningham as a mentor and key guide throughout his career. Cunningham was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991 and the USD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. Additionally, he received the San Diego Citizen of the Year award in 1993 and was recognized as one of the 25 most influential San Diegans involved in baseball by the San Diego Baseball Historical Society. In 2022, he was added to the West Coast Conference’s Wall of Honor.
Throughout the summers, he coached top area college players in the California Collegiate League and served as the official scorer for San Diego Padres games for over a decade. In honor of his contributions, USD named its baseball field after him in 1988, which was later renovated and renamed Fowler Park and Cunningham Field in 2013.
Cunningham was also known for driving many Toreros teams to away games, a role he began in the mid-1960s. He continued this service until last year, when he chose not to renew his commercial bus driver’s license. He took great pride in the upkeep of USD’s buses, ensuring they were in excellent condition for the teams he transported.
He is survived by his son, Geoffrey, who is also a USD graduate. As the USD community mourns his passing, plans to honor Cunningham’s legacy are currently being formulated, although no formal services have been announced.
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Additional Resources
- USD Toreros: USD Athletics Mourns the Loss of Beloved Coach John Cunningham
- San Diego Union Tribune: John Cunningham, Former Baseball Coach, Dies at 88
- USD Toreros: Josh Nicoloff Named USD Baseball Assistant Coach
- Wikipedia: University of San Diego
- USD Toreros: USD Baseball Dominates 2025 WCC End-of-Year Awards
- Google Search: John Cunningham USD Baseball
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
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