For more than 50 years Allen Dunn was a recognizable face on the track at San Benito High. After coaching the Balers track and field team for 13 years – starting in 1956 – Dunn stuck around to be a starter. He did that for more than 40 years.
With a loud boom – coming from his hand-mixed gun powder – Dunn marked the beginning of every San Benito track and field meet for four decades.
Dunn passed away on March 2 after a heroic battle with cancer. He was 80.
The long-time face of the San Benito track team leaves behind a long legacy that current coach Iran White is still trying to live up to, he said.
“Everything I’ve been able to do is because I’m standing on his shoulders and all the people that came before me,” White said. “As much success as we have today, where would we be if those trailblazers weren’t there and if I wasn’t still standing on their shoulders? Alan was there before any of us.”
Dunn was a long-time teacher at the high school, focussing on math while playing a part on the track team. His time at the school affected multiple generations in Hollister.
“I think he represents the spirit of the community when it comes to sports and helping kids,” White said. “You get a lot of people that have lived in Hollister for many years and they lived here and they come back. They get involved with teaching and coaching and helping out the community. He did that for so long. He is one of the more originals – the type people like me try to model themselves after.”
Dunn brought his signature loud ‘boom’ to invitationals across the area – including Gilroy’s Avis Kelly Invitational and Salinas’ Bill Kearney Invitational -but Hollister was always his home.
After falling in love with the sport in his hometown of Grizzly Flat and at San Jose State, Dunn arrived in Hollister in 1956. One year later he became the assistant track coach and in 1960 he took over the head job.
He helped build the first girls track and field team. He cultivated the first cross country teams at San Benito High. And at the same time, he became an important part in designing the track at Andy Hardin Field.
Dunn battled lung cancer since the 2010 track season. The last time he started a track race was in 2011.
“I really loved the guy,” White said. “He was just so helpful … He lived a long fruitful life and he leaves a great legacy.”
Dunn, who also enjoyed skiing and backpacking, leaves behind his wife Jane, three children and two grandchildren. Letters of condolences and memories can be sent to Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home. A slide show of Dunn will be posted on Jane Dunn’s Facebook page.
The high school will honor Dunn with a plaque at the track during the Balers’ final meet of the year on April 24 when they host Salinas.
