Few residents of the valley embody the Sun Devil Spirit more than the Derminio Family. From 1971-74 Dave Derminio was a member of the ASU Men’s Golf Team where he gained lifelong memories. These and countless other positive experiences made him a “Sun Devil Forever.”
“I played on the golf team from 1971-74 and my son Michael played from 1999-2004,” Derminio said. “Some of our closest friends are our former teammates. I regularly get together with them and other letterwinners from Golf, Football, Baseball and Track.”
Derminio and his son Michael also have their experiences at ASU to thank for a very unique distinction they hold in USGA history. In 2001, when they both qualified for the US Amateur, it was only the third time in USGA history that a father-son duo qualified for the same US Amateur. Adding significance to the already special memory, the pair caddied for one another during their respective qualifying tournaments.
As he alluded to, his ties to Arizona State and Sun Devil Athletics go far beyond his stint on campus as a Sun Devil student-athlete.
“Our youngest daughter, Lauren, was on ASU’s first Women’s D-I Lacrosse Team,” Derminio added. “Our middle daughter, Nicole worked in the athletic department while she was a student. Two other children attended ASU. We have a legacy at Arizona State. My wife's sister and two of her children were also Sun Devils. We bleed Maroon and Gold.”
With such a rich heritage rooted in Sun Devi Athletics, it’s no wonder Dave and his family were so eager to make a lasting impact on the student-athletes that will follow them.
“Our family believes in giving back and sharing the blessings we have received financially and through our time,” Derminio said. “Michael and I have a plethora of fond memories from our respective time in the golf program. The Derminio Family Sun Devil Golf Scholarship is one way we support the golf programs.”
Setting up an endowment is a great way to support Sun Devil student-athletes, and in this case, Derminio took a bit of a unique tact in getting his endowment funded, a stock/security transfer.
”I was ready to write a check and my CPA asked me to consider donating appreciated stock,” Derminio said of the decision. “He said the University received the full value and I could avoid the capital gains tax on the stock. It was a win-win situation.”
Through setting up his endowment, Dave and his family hope to help Coach Thurmond and his staff achieve their goal of bringing and developing the best talent to Arizona State and winning national championships.
“I would encourage fellow Sun Devil supporters to give to the athletic program and to consider the non-major sports whose budgets have been cut because of the pandemic,” Derminio concluded. “Talk with your CPA and Financial Advisor. There are multiple ways to give. For example, you can write a check or do as I did and give assets.”
To give to the Derminio Family Sun Devil Golf Scholarship Endowment, click the link below:
To learn more about stock transfers or with any questions about your involvement and impact with the Sun Devil Club, contact us at 480-727-7700 or SunDevilClub@asu.edu.