University of North Carolina Athletics
Lucas: Bunting Gives Back This Weekend
October 7, 2005 | Football
Oct. 7, 2005
By Adam Lucas
Rarely a day passes that John Bunting doesn't reference his experiences with the Philadelphia Eagles. The professional background provides him the perfect way to relate to players eager to make it to the next level, and former Eagles coach and current Kansas City Chiefs head man Dick Vermeil is one of Bunting's biggest coaching influences.
But Bunting didn't just learn about football during his stay in Philadelphia. He also learned the importance of being involved in the community.
"Living in a town like Philadelphia where people have very high expectations, sometimes it could be difficult when we were getting beaten up on the scoreboard," Bunting says. "But (Eagles owner) Leonard Tose saw to it that the players got involved with the Ronald McDonald House and an organization called Eagles Fly for Leukemia. I got into visiting hospitals and also got involved with a spinal bifida campaign.
"At the time, it was a matter of survival for me. I was trying to feel better about what the Eagles were doing. And then I discovered that not only did it make other people feel better, it made me feel a heck of a lot better too."
Bunting has made community involvement a staple of the Carolina football program under his direction. He's done events in the public eye--like his squad's car wash this spring. But he's also made it a point to consistently do the right thing even when there's no publicity expected. Sometimes, word trickles out. Other times, it goes unpublicized--but he still finds it just as rewarding.
Carolina players are regulars at community events around Chapel Hill, including regular visits to the UNC Children's Hospital and participation with the athletic department's "Share Your Christmas" program.
It's in that spirit that the John and Dawn Bunting Golf Tournament will tee off on Monday morning. The event, held at UNC Finley, benefits Volunteers for Youth. Registration for the golf portion of the weekend is closed, but a pre-tournament Sunday night party is still open to fans.
At 6:30 on October 9, the Buntings will host an evening of fun at Spanky's Restaurant in downtown Chapel Hill. Jones Angell will emcee the event and Tar Heels Jesse Holley and Ronnie McGill will speak. The event also includes an auction with a very impressive prize list, including an opportunity to sit with Woody Durham in the broadcast booth during a game, signed footballs, and an autographed authentic Julius Peppers jersey.
Admission for the evening is $25, with all proceeds earmarked for Volunteers for Youth. Fans interested in attending can contact Scott Dreyer at 919-967-4511 or via email at sad@volunteersforyouth.org for more information.
"I have healthy children, a healthy wife, and healthy friends," Bunting says. "I'm very blessed. I've been brought up that when you give of yourself, you get back twofold. It doesn't cost anything to do things right and help others."
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. He is the coauthor of the official book of the 2005 championship season, Led By Their Dreams, and his book on Roy Williams's first season at Carolina, Going Home Again, is now available in bookstores. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly or learn more about Going Home Again, click here.
