MAX SPORTS FEATURE: Bremen Football’s Legend

Legendary Coach Don Bunge started Bremen’s football program in 1957 and remained their head coach for 28 years.  His teams competed in the strong Northern Lakes Conference as the league’s only Class A school.  Despite the small school status, Bunge’s Lions won 160 games, lost 102, tied 10 and posted a record of 50-6 when facing Class A opponents.  He was a 3-sport athlete and Hall of Fame inductee at the University of Indianapolis, served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division during World War II and elected into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1988.  Deservedly, Bremen’s football facility is in his name, Don J. Bunge Field.  Mr. Bunge retired from teaching at Bremen High School in 1984.

At 95 years old, Coach Bunge still attends most of Bremen’s football practices and doesn’t miss a game.  He relates to players today as he did 60 years ago.  His football family extends across the country with players, coaches, parents and fans.  Ask former players about Coach Bunge and you will hear many stories about how he impacted their lives.  He was regarded as a disciplinarian, a no-excuses coach.  The type of tough-as-nails coach many feel would turn kids away from playing football, he did just the opposite.

In his twilight years, Coach Bunge shares a compilation of his thoughts on high school football (please click the following):   play football