Chuck Dunaway

BUTLER TWP — Chuck Dunaway has been synonymous with “firsts” at Butler County Community College.

He was the college’s first men’s basketball coach in 1968. He was the Pioneers’ first baseball, golf and cross country coach as well. In 1971-72, he became BC3’s first athletic director.

Now he is at it again.

Wednesday night at the BC3 Field House, Dunaway will become the charter inductee of the new Charles W. Dunaway Pioneer Hall of Fame.

“He will be the Class of 2015,” BC3 athletic director Rob Snyder said.

Dunaway served as athletic director for the Pioneers for 32 years before retiring. He was originally hired as a health sciences teacher at the college, which wasn’t even considering having an athletic program at the time.

He wound up coaching every sport offered by the school at some point, except for women’s volleyball.

“We did everything ourselves,” Dunaway said. “Paint the walls, take tickets, clean the gym ... We even washed the uniforms so they’d be ready for the next game.

“Sure, we had ups and downs, but it was fun all of the time. As far as I’m concerned, I had the best job in America for 32 years.”

Dunaway received the news of Wednesday night’s program — consisting of a dedication and induction ceremony, followed by a brief reception — at a BC3 recognition dinner last week.

“They were honoring (basketball coach) Dick Hartung for his 30 years, (golf coach) Bill Miller for his 25, that’s why I wanted to be there,” Dunaway said. “Then I was hit by this.

“I don’t know if I deserve all of this, but I sure am grateful they’re thinking of me in such regard.”

The Pioneer Hall of Fame will be located inside the BC3 Field House, along the wall opposite of the building’s main entrance.

“We’ve been looking for a way to recognize Chuck since the year he retired,” Snyder said. “No good opportunity ever presented itself.

“We wanted to get this Hall of Fame started in conjunction with our 50th anniversary year. Chuck deserves to have his name attached to it and he definitely should be the first inductee.”

The Pioneer Hall of Fame will add a small number of inductees — individuals and/or team — each year moving forward.

“I expect that number will be small, maybe three or so, but it hasn’t been determined yet,” Snyder said. “Our focus has been on getting the original dedication up and going now.

“Further decisions will be made down the road.”