John B. Yingling ’71

Describing himself as a “True Tiger,” John B. Yingling calls his time at Towson University, and particularly his time on the football team, the “best years of my life.” The lifelong resident of Carroll County was recruited from Wesley Junior College (now part of Delaware State University) to play football in 1968 when the football program at TU was in its infancy. “TU was the perfect transfer college and just the right size for me,” he says.

His early years following graduation were busy. “I didn’t have time to be involved at TU because I was raising a family and building a family business,” John says. But he was always committed to attending TU football games.

Now retired from Crawford Yingling Insurance, a fourth-generation family business, his reconnection with TU started with getting the 1969 football team together for a 45th reunion, and he’s been actively connected with TU ever since. “I had TU in my thoughts for years and years,” he says, “but the time just wasn’t right. Now I’m able to give back.”

John’s giving to TU began with regular annual gifts to the Tiger Athletic Fund and Athletic Capital Projects, specifically for TU’s new athletics practice field. This past summer, John included TU in his will, with a significant bequest that will benefit Athletic Capital Projects and enhance the athletics practice fields with lighting.

Giving back runs deep in the Yingling family. John credits his grandfather for instilling in him a sense of service to others. “Many kids have the talent but don’t have the opportunity,” John says. “I hope with my gift and others’ gifts we can give student-athletes opportunities on and off the field.”

Like John, you can create your TU legacy—and opportunity for future students to succeed—with a gift in your estate plan. To learn more, contact Kathleen Hider at (410) 704-6287 or khider@towson.edu.