Mint Hill American Legion Post Coach Bryan Bunn has decided to hang-up his cleats after coaching Legion baseball for 18 years in our home town. He also has been the Athletic Director for the program for the past six years.
Bunn was recently introduced to throw a first ceremonial pitch from the pitcher’s mound prior to the final regular season game at Independence High School Stadium. He was honored for his countless hours of work, dedication and commitment to the American Legion baseball program in Mint Hill.
Coach Bunn is a local product who graduated from Independence High School in 1991 where he played baseball for the Patriots in 1989-1991. He attended Appalachian State University in the Fall of 1991 through 1995 when he graduated from college. While a student at the University he majored in Political Science with minors Criminal Justice, Math and Science, and was heavily involved in intramural sports. He began his baseball coaching career in 1996 with the Mint Hill Athletic Association at the Little League and Junior Baseball League levels. In 1999 he became an assistant coach on the Mint Hill Senior Little League Team that finished fifth at the Senior Little League World Series.
Bunn’s coaching career took off when he began coaching at a higher level with his first experience with Newell Post 287. Then his career shifted closer to home with Mint Hill VFW Post 4059 where he has been involved with recruiting, coaching, and performing administrative functions for the program ever since.
Bryan has been a great bench coach keeping the young players loose, motivated and ready to play in every ball game. He has shown consistent leadership and sportsmanship during his entire career and especially with the Mint Hill American Legion organization.
Bunn plans to stay involved, however only in fundraising activities which is still a significant commitment. The team along with Head Coach Stu Brown will miss his daily interactions with the players and coaching staff including his stories.
We the sportswriters at the Mint Hill Times wish Bryan much success as he pursues his business career which we understand is going to be taking up more of his valuable time in the near future.
