"A Night With A Legend," a dinner honoring Bentonville football coach Barry Lunney, will take place Monday night at the Bentonville High School North Commons.
The event, hosted by the Bentonville Adult Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a program to be held after the dinner. Those scheduled to speak on Lunney's behalf include Fort Smith athletic director Jim Rowland, former state FCA director Ken Hamilton, Arkansas assistant coach and former Bentonville offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., Bentonville mayor Bob McCaslin, athletic director Scott Passmore and superintendent Michael Poore.
"We're wanting to honor all of his years of coaching and give him something that he and his wife Becky can look back and remember for all the hard work they have done," said Chris Cash, president of the Bentonville adult FCA chapter.
Lunney announced his retirement in January, less than two months after he led Bentonville to its second consecutive state Class 7A state title. He is the ninth-winningest coach in Arkansas high school history with a career record of 248-89-1, including a 97-25 mark with Bentonville with state championships
His combined eight state championships -- four at Bentonville and four at Fort Smith Southside -- ties him with former Barton coach Frank McClellan for the second-most in state history behind Wilson Matthews' 10 at Little Rock Central.
"This is an opportunity to honor a great man and his accomplishments, not only at Bentonville but at other schools," Passmore said. "Several people will be there to speak about coach Lunney and what he has meant to the school district and the community and all the lives he has touched. It's going to be a very special tonight, and we're excited about it."
Tickets are $10 and available at the Tiger Athletic Complex or at the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce office. Proceeds will go to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which will use the funds to send local students to FCA camp.
Sports on 04/22/2015