SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Former Susquehanna University wrestling coach Charlie Kunes will be among five individuals inducted into the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Thursday, March 4 at the Holiday Inn in Dubuque , Iowa .

The ceremony will take place prior to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships to be held at Loras College in Dubuque on March 5 and 6.

Kunes founded the Susquehanna wrestling program in 1966 and guided it for 25 years through the 1990-91 season, compiling a dual-meet record of 163-165-6 and coaching six MAC champions and five NCAA Division III All-Americans.

Earning MAC championships under Kunes were Bill Bryson at 142 pounds in 1981, Ken Tashjy at 177 pounds in 1982, Mike Deckard at 190 pounds in 1984, Steve Deckard at 177 pounds in both 1985 and 1986, and Chris Lebrecque at 167 pounds in 1988.

Kunes' All-American wrestlers were Tashjy in 1982, Steve Deckard in 1985, Lebrecque in 1988, and Andy Watkins (190 pounds) in both 1991 and 1992.

In his final season, the Crusaders finished with a 12-3-1 dual-meet record to set a then-program record for wins in a season and give Kunes his 13 th winning season at Susquehanna.

Kunes, who was raised in and still resides in State College , is a 1951 graduate of Lock Haven, where he lettered in football, wrestling and track. After serving for 13 years as a teacher and assistant football coach at Bellefonte High School , Kunes joined the Susquehanna athletic staff in 1966 as head wrestling and assistant football coach, and later served as the director of physical education at Susquehanna.

A veteran college and high school wrestling official, Kunes helped conduct tournaments ranging from the NCAA and MAC championships to Pennsylvania district, regional and state meets. He also served as secretary-treasurer of the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Officials Association (EIWOA) and as rules interpreter for PIAA District 6.

Kunes was inducted into the Susquehanna Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and is also a member of the EIWOA, PIAA Wrestling Coaches Association and PIAA District 4 Wrestling Coaches Association Halls of Fame.