REDEMPTION AND GROWTH

Brandon Johnson's Journey to Community Leader

Brandon Johnson came to USD as an 18-year-old basketball player with just two bags of clothes and big dreams. During his time at USD, he helped lead the team to a WCC Championship while balancing the demands of being both a student and an athlete.

"The WCC Championship was special," Johnson says. "It wasn't just about me—it was a moment of pride for the whole USD community."

Johnson's college years weren't just about basketball. He became a father while at USD and learned valuable lessons about managing responsibilities both on and off the court. The experience taught him about discipline, time management, and handling life's challenges.

Allegations of point shaving and involvement in a complex bribery scheme during the end of his time at USD eventually led to a 6 month prison sentence for Johnson. Following his incarceration, Johnson has sought redemption for himself, and education for others, as he shares his cautionary tale with Power 4 college basketball teams, NCAA administrators, even Las Vegas gambling task force personnel. It is the serious hope of Johnson that he can help others to avoid falling victim to the same pressures that he did.

Today, Johnson runs a nonprofit focused on helping youth succeed. He also works to educate student-athletes on avoiding the risks of sports betting. He stays close to the game of basketball that he loves in the city of Houston where he was raised. BJ, as he was known to many during his time as a student-athlete at USD, is sincere in his remorse for the negative attention that he brought to the USD Basketball program.

While past mistakes have affected his official connection to USD, Johnson remains grateful for his time at the university. "USD changed my life by giving me an education and the tools to break the cycle for my family," he says. He continues to support USD teams from afar and hopes to one day reconnect officially with the university community.

When asked what advice he'd give current USD student-athletes, he emphasizes the importance of connecting with everyone on campus and making the most of the whole college experience.

The Olé Foundation sincerely thanks Brandon for his willingness and desire to share his story. We see the things he has done to better himself and those around him, and know that he will continue to make us proud going forward.

GETTING BUCKETS AND MAKING HISTORY

A Quick Interview with New USD Record Holder Tony Duckett

Tony Duckett, a freshman baller from Carlsbad, recently broke the record for the most points in a single game by a freshman at USD (31 points).

This extraordinary performance helped Tony earn WCC Freshman of the Week honors, the first for USD this season.

We were lucky enough to get a few minutes of his time and ask him some questions about the historic night.

GREAT PRICES, EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

Men’s Tennis Secures Upset Victory over FSU

No. 15 San Diego Men's Tennis secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over tenth-ranked Florida State in Saturday's ITA Kick-Off Weekend finale, earning a coveted spot in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.

Despite dropping the doubles point, the Toreros dominated singles play, led by No. 15 Oliver Tarvet's commanding win over 22nd-ranked Jamie Connel.

Neo Niedner clinched the upset with a thrilling three-set victory, extending USD's perfect start to 4-0.

The Toreros will now compete in the Indoor Championships on February 14-18, joining the nation's top programs.

You can now support your favorite USD athletes directly through the Spring Sports Campaign, which helps cover essential needs like living expenses, nutrition, academic materials, and transportation for our dedicated student-athletes!

GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH US

The Impact and Power of Sponsoring this Newsletter

Looking to support USD Athletics while getting your business in front of thousands of engaged local fans? The Olé Foundation newsletter offers the perfect opportunity through our NIL advertising program.

When you advertise in our newsletter, your sponsorship dollars go directly to supporting USD student-athletes through NIL opportunities. This means you're not just marketing your business – you're investing in the future of young athletes who represent our university and community.

Our subscribers have actively chosen to stay connected with USD Athletics, creating an audience that's genuinely interested and invested in our community.

While social media posts typically see engagement rates of 2-4%, our newsletter open rate average is above 50%. This means your message is far more likely to be seen and acted upon.

Overall, benefits of advertising in this newsletter include:

• Direct support of USD student-athletes

• Increased brand visibility in the San Diego community

• Association with USD's prestigious athletic programs

• Access to a dedicated audience of sports enthusiasts and university supporters

WHERE TOREROS OWN THEIR FUTURE…

That’s All For Now!

We hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter! You can follow us on @olefoundation on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Please help us in continuing to spread the word, and thank you for supporting the Olé Foundation!

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