George Washington University Athletics
GW Honors the Life and Legacy of Larry Cushman
10/16/2025 8:16:00 AM | Baseball
A decorated baseball player for the Buff & Blue, Larry Cushman '76, not only achieved excellence on the diamond but also represented the program and university with dignity and respect.
"The GW Baseball family is saddened to learn of the passing of Larry Cushman," said GW Baseball Head Coach Gregg Ritchie. "The 1976 GW Baseball MVP, Larry personified what it means to be an excellent student-athlete. He's a testament to being a great teammate, a player that achieved and a person that impacted others in a tremendous way. He displayed the values and standards of the GW Baseball program and our university. It's with a heavy heart that I send our deepest condolences to Larry's wife, Gail, and the entire Cushman family."
A graduate of Lee High School in Springfield, Va., Cushman arrived in Foggy Bottom in the fall of 1972 alongside his younger brother, Doug, who also played four years with the GW baseball program. Initially committed to play collegiate football, Cushman was injured during his senior season on the gridiron, prompting him to instead pursue a collegiate baseball career. After taking a year off to recover from his injury, Larry and Doug enrolled at GW in the fall of '72, looking to make an immediate impact on the diamond.
Playing under three different head coaches during his career, Cushman initially was coached by Bill Smith (1972-73 & 1975) during his freshman and junior seasons. Bob Tallent was GW's skipper in 1974 for Cushman's sophomore campaign, while GW Athletics Hall of Famer Mike Toomey took over in 1976 for his first of five years at the helm of the program.
Cushman was a standout for the Buff & Blue over the course of his career, batting .266 with 19 RBI, five doubles and one triple during his junior season in 1975. He was also named the GW Baseball MVP in 1976, becoming just the fifth person at the time to win the award, a tradition GW has continued since its inception in 1972.
Following his graduation in 1976, Cushman developed a successful career as an entrepreneur, founding the Cushman Insurance Agency and developed several innovative insurance programs that have been widely adopted by the industry. Outside of work, Cushman and his wife, Gail, were married for 45 years and raised three children together. The couple also enjoyed the company of five grandchildren as well.
Giving back to his athletic roots, Cushman was a staple in his community, coaching hundreds of youth athletes not only in baseball, but lacrosse as well.
Larry Cushman passed away on October 5, 2025. His time in Foggy Bottom was highlighted by not only athletic excellence but also laying a foundation for a successful professional career that he built for nearly 50 years after graduating. Cushman's name will forever live in the GW Baseball record books, and his legacy will be carried on through all the lives he touched.
"The GW Baseball family is saddened to learn of the passing of Larry Cushman," said GW Baseball Head Coach Gregg Ritchie. "The 1976 GW Baseball MVP, Larry personified what it means to be an excellent student-athlete. He's a testament to being a great teammate, a player that achieved and a person that impacted others in a tremendous way. He displayed the values and standards of the GW Baseball program and our university. It's with a heavy heart that I send our deepest condolences to Larry's wife, Gail, and the entire Cushman family."
A graduate of Lee High School in Springfield, Va., Cushman arrived in Foggy Bottom in the fall of 1972 alongside his younger brother, Doug, who also played four years with the GW baseball program. Initially committed to play collegiate football, Cushman was injured during his senior season on the gridiron, prompting him to instead pursue a collegiate baseball career. After taking a year off to recover from his injury, Larry and Doug enrolled at GW in the fall of '72, looking to make an immediate impact on the diamond.
Playing under three different head coaches during his career, Cushman initially was coached by Bill Smith (1972-73 & 1975) during his freshman and junior seasons. Bob Tallent was GW's skipper in 1974 for Cushman's sophomore campaign, while GW Athletics Hall of Famer Mike Toomey took over in 1976 for his first of five years at the helm of the program.
Cushman was a standout for the Buff & Blue over the course of his career, batting .266 with 19 RBI, five doubles and one triple during his junior season in 1975. He was also named the GW Baseball MVP in 1976, becoming just the fifth person at the time to win the award, a tradition GW has continued since its inception in 1972.
Following his graduation in 1976, Cushman developed a successful career as an entrepreneur, founding the Cushman Insurance Agency and developed several innovative insurance programs that have been widely adopted by the industry. Outside of work, Cushman and his wife, Gail, were married for 45 years and raised three children together. The couple also enjoyed the company of five grandchildren as well.
Giving back to his athletic roots, Cushman was a staple in his community, coaching hundreds of youth athletes not only in baseball, but lacrosse as well.
Larry Cushman passed away on October 5, 2025. His time in Foggy Bottom was highlighted by not only athletic excellence but also laying a foundation for a successful professional career that he built for nearly 50 years after graduating. Cushman's name will forever live in the GW Baseball record books, and his legacy will be carried on through all the lives he touched.
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