George “Duke” Bunnell

A graduate of Meshoppen High School and Mansfield State Teachers College in 1934. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII 1943-1945.

“Coach” Bunnell, a legend in Tunkhannock, coached for 21 years. His football teams were undefeated in 1936, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957. His record over that time 117-59-2. His baseball team’s record 204 wins, 44 losses with 8 district titles and 13 county and conference championships. He coached, Tunkhannock volleyball to the first State Championship in 1957. Coach was instrumental in establishing “The Code” the standard for athletes at Tunkhannock. It was mandatory to sign and abide by the rules in “The Code” – basically, abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and weekly 10:00 p.m. curfew.

At Mansfield, he was an outstanding football, basketball, and baseball player earning 11 letters. He was elected to the Mansfield University Hall of Fame in 1990.

He was selected in the PA Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1958, he left to teach and coach in Wellsville, NY. He coached there through 1963. 1964 through 1976, he taught at Corning, NY, and 1977-1978 taught at St. Mary’s Parochial School in Corning, NY. He retired in 1978, enjoying golf with his son George, Jr., also a Marine and retired. His wife, Diana, a former English teacher at Tunkhannock is also deceased.