USD Baseball 1990

Page 4

Head Coach

JOHN CUNNINGHAM Head Coach Beginning his 27th season as head coach of the University of San Diego baseball program, John Cun- ningham has guided the Toreros from a Division 11 power to one of the most respected Division I teams in the Southern California region . With 14 winning seasons under his belt, John carries a record of 600- 597-14 into the '90 schedule. He earned his 600th victory in the team's last game a year ago-a

·

12-9 victory over Cal State Northridge. A native of San Diego, Cunningham attended St. Augustine High School where he was a scholastic and athletic standout receiving AII- CIF honors in baseball and leading the County in scoring during his senior basketball season. Cunningham attended the University of San Francisco where he again was a baseball and basketball standout, while also making the Presidents' Honor Roll six times and achieving membership in the Na- tional Jesuit Honor Society, "Alpha Sigma Nu." He received a B.S. degree in History as well as a general secondary credential. In basket- ball, John was named All-Conference and Honorable Mention on the Catholic All-America teams. Baseball cornered him a professional con- tract with the Baltimore Orioles. In his senior year, Cunningham was USF's "Athlete of the Year." John began his career at USO in 1962, with 1989 seeing him win his 600th game. His teams have won thirty or more games six times, first in 1971; then back to back in 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1981; and finally in 1987 (31-23-1). Four of his teams have gone to post-season playoffs; two of the four becoming regional champions and College World Series participants. The 1971 team won the regional title while setting the school record of 34 wins. For that performance, Cunningham was named District 8 "Coach of the Year." 1979 was Cunningham's first effort at the Division I level. Contrary to expectations, he guided the Toreros to an impressive 32-19-1 record and a fourth place finish in the SCBA. In 1985 the Toreros moved into the West Coast Conference-1988 was their best finish (4th place). Nine of USD's players have been named ''.All-America" and two of them have been selected to represent the United States in international competi- tion. After three straight .500 and above seasons between 1986-88, the Toreros finished 22-31-1 in 1989. Coach Cunningham and his 1990 squad are optimistic for the upcoming schedule and are ready to make a run at the West Coast Conference leaders. John and his wife Nancy have one son, Geoffrey, age 15.

CUNNINGHAM'S COACHING RECORD

YEAR 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988

PCT. .387 .447 .350 .351 .564 .568

LOST

WON

19 21 26 26 24 17 16 12 19 22 15 20 16 19 22 19 25 25 24 27 36 39 25 23 28 31

12 17 20 14 13 22 21 34 20 19 23 19 26 24 33 32 30 30 29 17 20 17 26 31 28 22

.435 (NCAA Regionals, 0-2)

.739 (NCAA Playoffs, 4-2)

.513 (One Tie)

.463 .605

.487 (One Tie)

.619 (NCAA Playoffs, 5-3)

.558

.600 (NCAA Playoffs, 5-3)

.615 (One Tie) .545 (One Tie) .545 (One Tie) .547 (One Tie) .386 (One Tie) .362 (Two Ties) .310 (One Tie) .509 (Two Ties) .574 (One Tie) .417 (One Tie) .501 (14 Ties) .500

1989 CAREER

597

600