CAF12/6/2022 10:32 AM | By: Kaleigh Anderson
Passion On And Off the Pitch
Bud Lyons Leaves Cal Rugby $2.5 Million In His Estate Through A Charitable Remainder Trust
This feature originally appeared in the 2022 Fall edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.
Passion for Cal Rugby goes far beyond the pitch for long-time supporter, alum, and chairman of the California Rugby Advisory Board (CRAB) Bud Lyons. From his days proudly bearing the No. 2 on his blue and gold jersey to time spent supporting the program on the sidelines, Bud has not only backed Cal Rugby but enabled a future where the viability of the program remains on solid financial footing.
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Bud was appointed chairman of CRAB in 2010. CRAB is currently composed of 44 members and is one of the most prestigious boards on campus, with members from all sectors of professional life. Its mission is to advise and advocate for Cal rugby.
"I've been really encouraged by the breadth of the Cal rugby community in terms of their engagement and giving," Bud said. "The rugby program is on very good financial footing and though there is much more work to be done, we are proud of what we accomplished. These achievements will be our legacy."
Bud is an emeritus UC Berkeley Foundation Trustee and has been recognized as a Builder of Berkeley who has further recently cemented his legacy by establishing a $2.5 million bequest commitment through his estate plans.
When asked why he chose to give in this way, Bud's answer was simple.
"Setting up a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) for charitable donations from your estate has many advantages," he said. "The donor can receive income for their lifetime as well as invest the balance in the CRT so their gift at the time of death can grow significantly and be a more meaningful gift for the charity. I choose this vehicle because it best suited my needs and provides a significant gift to Cal rugby."
Making a gift through a Charitable Remainder Trust allows Bud to identify philanthropic efforts that are meaningful to him and establish a trust that can provide long-term support to Cal rugby.
"Bud's gift has further permeated his legacy as a Golden Bear and has made the future of Cal rugby brighter as a loyal supporter and friend," Cal Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton said. "The legacy Bud is creating will impact current and future young men on and off the pitch," Cal rugby coach Jack Clark said. "We can't thank him enough for all that he has done for the Cal Rugby program."
To learn more about estate planning and ways to bequeath gifts to Cal Athletics, contact the Office of Gift Planning by calling 510-642-6300 or emailing
ogp@berkeley.edu.
Editor's Note: A Charitable Remainder Trust allows an individual to make a gift of cash, securities, or other appreciated property into a trust. The trust then pays a fixed percentage of the value of the trust assets, re-valued annually, to you or to beneficiaries named.
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