Support the fundraising campaign for the SU Coach Kunes Memorial
Share:
by Charlie Kunes
Susquehanna University (SU) wrestling founder and 25-year head coach Charlie Kunes passed away in 2006 in his hometown of State College, PA. Soon after a small group of wrestling alumni contacted SU and began discussing the establishment of a permanent campus memorial in recognition of his long and devoted service to SU, its student athletes, and the greater Selinsgrove, PA community.
The wrestling alumni received the SU's commitment to build a memorial if they could raise the estimated $15,000 needed for its construction. The memorial will be located directly in front of the Garrett Sports Complex, site of O.W. Hout's Gymnasium and the former wrestling room. It will consist of a brick edged concrete patio with steel benches including memorial plaques to Coach and Mrs. Kunes, who also spent many great years on staff at SU.
During the summer of 2007, in an effort to demonstrate commitment to this project to the university, wrestling alumni Joel Tokarz, Todd Burns, Rick Evans, David Richards, Bill Bryson, Tom Dodd, Scott Tashjy, Ken Tashjy, and Whitney Gay made an initial contribution totaling $5,600. Consequently, the friends and alumni of SU wrestling need to raise an additional $9,400 to meet the initial fundraising goal, with an anticipated completion and dedication date in the spring of 2009.
Born in 1925 and raised in State College, Penn., Charlie Kunes Sr. played varsity football, basketball, and track at State College High School and was named to the All-Central Counties football team in 1941 and 1942. Kunes got his first taste of wrestling competition as a heavyweight during his college days at Lock Haven State College under legendary coach Hubert Jack. There he lettered in football, wrestling, and track, graduating in 1951.
Kunes joined the athletic staff at SU in 1966. Kunes founded the SU wrestling program that year (1966-67) going 4-3 in duals with victories over current NCAA Division I teams American University and Hofstra University. Kunes retired after the 1990-91 season, a season in which the team set a then school record for wins at 12-3-1. In addition to being head wrestling coach, he also served as an assistant football coach, as a professor of health and physical education, and later as the Director of the Physical Education Department. He earned his Master of Science from Bucknell University in 1972.
A veteran high school and college wrestling official for 33 years, Coach Kunes helped conduct the NCAA, NAIA, and Middle Atlantic Conference Championships, the national YMCA tournament, and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District, Regional, and State Championships. Coach Kunes served as secretary-treasurer of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association (EIWOA) and as rules interpreter for District 6 of the PIAA.
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Kunes since his days as a head coach and an active veteran wrestling official. As head coach, Kunes guided the Crusaders to a 163-165-6 record. His wrestlers won six individual Middle Atlantic Conference titles and five NCAA Division III All-America awards. SU dropped wrestling in 1996. Kunes, who had 13 winning seasons during his 25-year stint, and was inducted into the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 when the championships were held in Dubuque, Iowa.
He was a PIAA wrestling tournament official between 1967 and 1984, and served as the head official for a number of those years. Additionally, Kunes coordinated officials' assignments. In 1986, Kunes was one of only 21 referees ever inducted into the EIWOA Hall of Fame, which celebrated its 50th year in 2004. Kunes received another major honor in 1987 when he was inducted into the PIAA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in Hershey. He was inducted into the Susquehanna University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame in April 2005, and the PIAA District 4 Hall of Fame.
Kunes died October 2, 2006 at his State College home after a long illness at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, Jane, of 60 years, and his son, Charles S. (Chip) Kunes Jr.
Coach Kunes was a wonderful teacher and coach, but above all, he was a consummate gentleman. He taught generations of young men that success comes in many forms, not all of which are represented by a winning score. He taught the value of hard work and personal accountability. He was a traditional man who demanded respect and courtesy, while always conveying the same to those he taught and coached.
By the way he lived his life; Coach Kunes' lasting lesson for all of us is that service to others is the greatest gift we can give of ourselves. His memorial will reflect these sentiments to generations of SU students to come. Please consider a personal contribution toward the construction of this special tribute to a special man. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Please make your gift payable to Susquehanna University - "Kunes Memorial Fund" and direct your gift to:
Ms. Angela Hoot
SU Office of Development
514 University Avenue
Selinsgrove, PA 17870-9950
Once the memorial is completed, you will be invited to attend the dedication ceremony on campus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact wrestling alum Ken Tashjy at 978-697-6497, or tashjyk@middlesex.mass.edu. Thank you in advance for your support.
Yours in wrestling,
Charlie Kunes Memorial Fund Committee
Whitney Gay 71', Ken Tashjy 83', Tom Dodd 92'
The wrestling alumni received the SU's commitment to build a memorial if they could raise the estimated $15,000 needed for its construction. The memorial will be located directly in front of the Garrett Sports Complex, site of O.W. Hout's Gymnasium and the former wrestling room. It will consist of a brick edged concrete patio with steel benches including memorial plaques to Coach and Mrs. Kunes, who also spent many great years on staff at SU.
During the summer of 2007, in an effort to demonstrate commitment to this project to the university, wrestling alumni Joel Tokarz, Todd Burns, Rick Evans, David Richards, Bill Bryson, Tom Dodd, Scott Tashjy, Ken Tashjy, and Whitney Gay made an initial contribution totaling $5,600. Consequently, the friends and alumni of SU wrestling need to raise an additional $9,400 to meet the initial fundraising goal, with an anticipated completion and dedication date in the spring of 2009.
Born in 1925 and raised in State College, Penn., Charlie Kunes Sr. played varsity football, basketball, and track at State College High School and was named to the All-Central Counties football team in 1941 and 1942. Kunes got his first taste of wrestling competition as a heavyweight during his college days at Lock Haven State College under legendary coach Hubert Jack. There he lettered in football, wrestling, and track, graduating in 1951.
Kunes joined the athletic staff at SU in 1966. Kunes founded the SU wrestling program that year (1966-67) going 4-3 in duals with victories over current NCAA Division I teams American University and Hofstra University. Kunes retired after the 1990-91 season, a season in which the team set a then school record for wins at 12-3-1. In addition to being head wrestling coach, he also served as an assistant football coach, as a professor of health and physical education, and later as the Director of the Physical Education Department. He earned his Master of Science from Bucknell University in 1972.
A veteran high school and college wrestling official for 33 years, Coach Kunes helped conduct the NCAA, NAIA, and Middle Atlantic Conference Championships, the national YMCA tournament, and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) District, Regional, and State Championships. Coach Kunes served as secretary-treasurer of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association (EIWOA) and as rules interpreter for District 6 of the PIAA.
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Kunes since his days as a head coach and an active veteran wrestling official. As head coach, Kunes guided the Crusaders to a 163-165-6 record. His wrestlers won six individual Middle Atlantic Conference titles and five NCAA Division III All-America awards. SU dropped wrestling in 1996. Kunes, who had 13 winning seasons during his 25-year stint, and was inducted into the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004 when the championships were held in Dubuque, Iowa.
He was a PIAA wrestling tournament official between 1967 and 1984, and served as the head official for a number of those years. Additionally, Kunes coordinated officials' assignments. In 1986, Kunes was one of only 21 referees ever inducted into the EIWOA Hall of Fame, which celebrated its 50th year in 2004. Kunes received another major honor in 1987 when he was inducted into the PIAA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in Hershey. He was inducted into the Susquehanna University Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame in April 2005, and the PIAA District 4 Hall of Fame.
Kunes died October 2, 2006 at his State College home after a long illness at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife, Jane, of 60 years, and his son, Charles S. (Chip) Kunes Jr.
Coach Kunes was a wonderful teacher and coach, but above all, he was a consummate gentleman. He taught generations of young men that success comes in many forms, not all of which are represented by a winning score. He taught the value of hard work and personal accountability. He was a traditional man who demanded respect and courtesy, while always conveying the same to those he taught and coached.
By the way he lived his life; Coach Kunes' lasting lesson for all of us is that service to others is the greatest gift we can give of ourselves. His memorial will reflect these sentiments to generations of SU students to come. Please consider a personal contribution toward the construction of this special tribute to a special man. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Please make your gift payable to Susquehanna University - "Kunes Memorial Fund" and direct your gift to:
Ms. Angela Hoot
SU Office of Development
514 University Avenue
Selinsgrove, PA 17870-9950
Once the memorial is completed, you will be invited to attend the dedication ceremony on campus. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact wrestling alum Ken Tashjy at 978-697-6497, or tashjyk@middlesex.mass.edu. Thank you in advance for your support.
Yours in wrestling,
Charlie Kunes Memorial Fund Committee
Whitney Gay 71', Ken Tashjy 83', Tom Dodd 92'
Read More#
Valencia, Diakomihalis, Snyder headline exciting CLAW U.S. Open men’s freestyle finals
Thomas, Davino among unexpected semifinalists in men’s freestyle at CLAW U.S. Open
PIN ratings announced for U20 Freestyle Nationals at CLAW U.S. Open in Las Vegas, April 26-27
NCAA Div. II Edinboro in Pennsylvania adds varsity Women’s Wrestling and Women's Golf
