Raymond's John Bunting, NFL linebacker, Hall of Famer - By Walter Lunt

Long time Raymond summer resident John Bunting was honored recently in North Carolina with his induction into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame. Bunting joins the likes of Willie Stargell, Roman Gabriel, Trott Nixon, Bob Boyd and dozens of other luminaries from the world of sports.

In his video tribute a rock song playing beneath the narration and pictures of his lengthy and storied career helped buoy the message The World is Going to Know Your Name.

Bunting settled into a chair next to a picnic table at his Raymond summer home on Thomas Pond and started talking football. Over the two-hour session he shared stories, observations and opinions from his nearly 4-decade career as a National Football League player and coach.

The former linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles reflected on his early life in the fifties and sixties fishing, catching frogs and skiing on the pond he and wife, Dawn refer to as their get-away sanctuary.

“There was only one rule. We could play in and around the pond all day, but when the porch bell rang we had to return to camp to eat. I've had a wonderful life,” he continued, “and Thomas Pond was a big part of it."

"The first sports model in my life was my older brother, Jim,” said Bunting. " He was my inspiration growing up- a very good football player and a great wrestler. I went to every one of his (wrestling) matches in high school. I remember how he took this guy, who was undefeated, and beat him in double overtime. He became county champion. It took my breath away and probably made me cry. That's how passionate I was about my older brother."

Bunting said he has similar feelings toward his younger brother, Paul, who was also a strong athlete, as starting point guard for a winning team in a NCAA Final Four, Division II championship game.

"My brothers taught me discipline, passion and (how to be) a dignified athlete, how to play for the game, not just for myself," Bunting said.

 

Following strong years playing high school football in Maryland, Bunting received a scholarship to play for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"I played for 3 years. Freshmen were not allowed to play varsity. Unfortunately, they changed that rule. Never should have. Let kids be kids for one more year in transition. They think they are the greatest players since Swiss cheese," he said, "and (as a coach) they are so hard to rehab."

Following the University of North Carolina, Bunting was drafted in the 10^th round by the Philadelphia Eagles where he became a linebacker.

"In those days (1970- 71) we were the laughing stock of the league (not having a playoff berth since 1960), but a lot of great things happened."

There, Bunting would meet one of the most influential people of his major league sports career, Dick Vermeil. He credits the Eagle coach's passion for the game and for the way he treated his people, and for "winning the right way," and added, "like my brother winning through the dignity of the game."

“One of my greatest memories with the team is beating Dallas 20-7 in the 1981 NFC championship game," he said.

Bunting's time with the Eagles ended with the 1982 players' strike. The two sides faced off over free agency for players at the conclusion of their contracts, elimination or modification of so-called astro-turf, freedom to consult independent medical care and profit sharing with NFL properties. While the players made progress with these and other issues throughout the eighties, it was probably Bunting's involvement as a union representative that hastened the end of his career as an NFL player.

Coinciding with these events, however was the formation of a new "companion" football league that was not in competition with the NFL. The United States Football League was an eclectic mix of NFL veterans and promising young talent. The idea was to draft players within separate regions of the country to play spring games, thus extending the season for a growing fan base. On the advice of Carl Peterson, formerly from the front office of the Eagles, Stars coach Jim Moora recruited Bunting.

"He was a former Marine and bada--!" Bunting confided. "But I had a ball. We were drawing crowds of 35 and 45,000 and in '83 we made it into the championship game."

In 1984, despite a compromised Achilles heel, Bunting played out the championship game. The Stars won but at great cost to Bunting.

"At first, they just shot it up with cortisone. They could never do that today."

His playing days were over.

Bunting became the Stars linebacker coach. The team went on to another championship victory in 1985.

The following year, the USFL New Jersey Generals owner/president Donald Trump convinced the league to initiate antitrust action against the NFL in an effort to force playoff games between the two leagues. The court battle and confusion over stadium use resulted in the USFL folding in 1986.

“That's why I have little use for Donald Trump," Bunting said with a tinge of bitterness in his voice.

Never one to linger at the goal line, Bunting branched out, and for the next two years divided his time between defensive coaching at Brown University in Providence and broadcasting. He produced pre- and post-game shows for KYW sports radio in Philadelphia and performed color commentary for Temple University games.

By 1987 Bunting had found another dream job, as well as the love of his life. Glassboro State College in New Jersey needed a head football coach to fix a failing program. The position came with no strings attached, that is, no teaching responsibilities. Another member of the physical education department, the women's basketball and softball coach, had an issue with that and wasn't afraid to voice disapproval. To say the least it was a prickly beginning. Nevertheless, John and Dawn Bunting married four years later. It was the union of two linebackers. In her pre-college days Dawn had played with the San Diego Lobos in the Women’s Professional Football League.

Regarding this Glassboro experience, John said, “We took a program that was really broken and made it into a good one. We won conference championships two years in a row (and all the while) Dawn’s teams were highly successful as well.” 

By the early nineties it was back to the NFL. Carl Peterson had called yet again. Bunting joined the Kansas City Chiefs and remained for four years as linebacker coach.

“I was having a great time. And there was only one guy in the world who could pull me away, the one guy who most impacted my life, my friend and mentor Dick Vermeil. Now associated with the St. Louis Rams, Vermeil needed a co-defensive coordinator as he tried to build up a program that was weak both offensively and defensively. 

United once again with Vermeil, and faced with a huge challenge Bunting and a “great staff” went to work incorporating the core beliefs that has stood the test of time since his teen years: Solid “common sense” training, smart recruiting, discipline, developing that deep dedication toward accomplishing something important and doing it as a team. 

“It’s called passion,” Bunting repeated. A word he used frequently. 

And, indeed it all came together. By the 1999 season the Rams were winning, right into Super Bowl 34. The final play of that January 2000 game would be one of the most memorable in history.

As die-hard fans remember, the NFC St. Louis Rams were up against the AFC Tennessee Titans. The first half was mostly a defensive battle. By the end of the fourth quarter St. Louis held a 23 -16 lead. The ball was on the Rams 10-yard line with just 6 seconds left in the game. The Titans had used their final timeout. In the play, Rams linebacker Mike Jones was to be lured away from Titan receiver Kevin Dyson, but as the pass went to Dyson, Jones quickly changed direction and in what became known as simply The Tackle Jones wrapped his arms around Dyson's legs. The two went into a rolling motion with Dyson's outstretched arms reaching for the goal line, coming up short by just inches.

 

As he watched the play, Bunting crossed his arms over the front of his chest... and stopped breathing. Then, they waited for the call.

The game official stepped forward and turned on his mic. The crowd fell quiet. He announced, “The receiver is short of the goal line. The game is over."

"Those were the greatest words I ever heard in my life," said Bunting. It was the greatest pinnacle of a 40 year career.

After the parades and accolades back in St. Louis, Bunting was fired. How could that be? We asked. How could it be when it was your defenseman who clinched a Super Bowl victory?

"It's a long and complicated story," said Bunting. “Let's just say it was about front office alliances and broken promises. It happened. Time to move on."

The next move was back to his future, an opportunity to return to where it all started, his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where for six years he would "coach out" his football days until retirement.

“We won a significant number of games, but just as important these guys knew how to play together with dignity, discipline, and yes, passion."

Now retired, Bunting insists he's not finished. His current mission is mentoring NFL draftees and other young players, in addition to speaking engagements. "It's time to give back."

We quizzed Bunting about certain issues that dominate sports news in 2016. This John Bunting...

On the 2016 NFL season:

“The Patriots will be successful regardless of whether Brady misses the first four games. They have tradition and a smart coach. I think Jacksonville will be better. I expect Indianapolis to improve due to defensive changes."

On Tom Brady and Deflategate:

"It's a poor joke and a black eye on the NFL. Ownership around the league has it in for the Patriots. I think they're jealous and they've pressured the commissioner (Roger Goodell) to penalize New England for past issues. How sad that there's been less suspension time for players involved in domestic violence than with Brady and his freakin' ball."

On head trauma and concussions:

“It’s safer than it's ever been considering new protocol and the way they practice. They've got people watching on the sidelines and in the boxes. For high school and youth sports I'd want certified trainers right there."

On Colin Kaepernick and the emergence of politics in sports:

“Disturbing on several levels. This is team sport. To win, to be successful, it's hard when your mind is someplace else.

On the benefit youth participation in sports:

“It promotes general overall well being. Building relationships and overcoming adversity. It's just a game, but if one can apply some of the lessons learned to other things in your life you can become a stronger person and a better citizen."

We end our conversation and attention turns once again to the lake. Dawn comments, “There's something so tranquil about water- you feel at peace."

John nods in agreement and picks up a metal chair. “You live in a cage when you're a coach. It's wonderful here. Clears your head."

Later he will take the chair 3 feet into the pond to sit in chest high water. “My body is broken and beaten up," he said, referring to the multiple injuries ranging from broken fingers to ACL reconstruction on a knee, sustained over more than 10 years of professional play.

The water will feel good but he won't stay there long. Because, as he said, he's still not finished.

Popsicles with the Principal - By Lorraine Glowczak

The 9^th Annual Popsicles with the Principal, occurring last Thursday at the Windham Primary School was an enormous success with 300 to 400 students and families picking out their favorite flavored popsicles and reconnecting after the long summer months.

Dr. Karl Rhodes, principal for Windham Primary, initiated this event when he was the new incoming principal nine years ago as a way to meet and form relationships with families. Rhodes stated, “It was so well received that I have enjoyed doing it every year.”  Rhodes also stated that he is often asked if he will continue this event. He said that what was initially a one-time occurrence has become an anticipated yearly occasion to welcome back familiar faces as well as the new and a way to “have a fun school community event to kick off the school year that all families can participate in. Also, it is a chance for families to reconnect and possibly make new relationships.”

Kindergarten teachers Laura Record and Jennifer Key joined Principal Rhodes passing out the popsicles while reuniting with last year’s students and welcoming the new ones. One such student was Mason who will be in the second grade this year and is transferring from Raymond Elementary School. His sister Emily will be in kindergarten. Mason, Emily, and their parents not only got to meet Record, Key and Rhodes but enjoyed the opportunity to have many of their questions answered. Mason, his sister and parents are excited to begin their new adventure at Windham Primary School.

Returning students were also enthusiastic to be a part of this yearly experience – reuniting with their friends for the first time since June. After ordering their blue and green popsicles, Alivia, Ann and Molly happily discussed their summer time activities. They chatted about the various happenings such as swimming in the lake, shopping for school, and visits to Funtown/Splashtown in Saco. They all had an eventful summer and are looking forward to the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.

 

As the school year begins, Principal Rhodes said that he and his staff are committed to the success for all students. “We strive to provide an education that is authentic and personally relevant to each individual learner.” Rhodes stated. This is a commitment that is important to Rhodes as he himself needed a modified educational plan. “I needed a very personalized and individual plan and the support of a few, deeply caring educators to graduate high school. It drives my beliefs about how we need to educate our learners at Windham Primary,” he said. Rhodes also stated that his passion is to better the situation and the lives of anyone in which he interacts. As a result, being a principal puts him in the perfect position to help improve the lives of the young people he gets to work with every day.

As for the teachers and staff of Windham Primary, Rhodes stated he is “blessed to work in a setting where there are extremely dedicated people.” He continued, “Even though our school was under construction, office, custodial and teaching staff members where here throughout the summer except for a few days when it was unsafe to enter. They all work hard to get school ready for students.”

Rhodes also speaks praises of the parents within the community and their dedication and involvement with their children’s education. What he especially enjoys is the increased participation of the students themselves in their own educational pursuits. Rhodes mentioned, “In the last few years I have witnessed students expressing a stronger voice in what they like about our school and what they wish our school had. For example, one student had an idea for an afterschool writing club and now, there is a such club. All because of one student’s idea.”

Imaginative and supportive learning at Windham Primary School began for the 2016-17 school year when the fall classes commenced on August 30^th for first through third grades and September 1^st for kindergarteners. 

As for the 10^th Annual Popsicles with the Principal event, it appears as of today everyone is already looking forward to next August. Based upon this year’s most popular popsicle flavor, next year’s occasion will most likely include blue, blue, and more blue to keep up with demand.

New Windham Middle School proposal gains momentum - By Stephen Signor

In May of this year the Facilities Committee of the RSU14 School Board made the following recommendation: To build a new Windham Middle School, keeping the original core, which contains the gym-upper and lower, cafeteria, food service area, the administrative offices, STEM, art rooms and music rooms/office of the school. The inclusion of a design feature for expansion to accommodate future enrollment needs and the expansion into Fields 4 and 5 will accommodate the construction site. At that time no cost numbers were discussed, but became availableon June 15th at a RSU14 Facilities Committee meeting. To this end, further recommendations were brought forth, revisiting discussions that were placed on hold from July 2014. 

While no decisions have been put into stone, progress has been made in gathering details. On top of the list was the cost sharing of the project. This entails Windham absorbing the $42,496,975 price tag for a new school through a municipal bond. In a preliminary and tentative tax implications scenario, owners of a $250,000 house would incur a $426 a year increase in taxes with this amount decreasing slightly over a period of 20 years. Raymond on the other hand would not incur any construction cost and only be liable for operational costs of the new school. 

To even the playing field, the agenda of this meeting included discussion of the alternative option. This would involve major renovations of the Windham Middle School core. As a renovation, under statutes, the cost of this would be borne by both Raymond and Windham. However the cost for renovations would total $37,739,057. After an intense review between September 2015 and June 2016 it was felt that the difference of $4,757,918, although substantial, represents the difference between renovating a poorly constructed and inadequate school versus building a new one. 

During the session many valid points were made and agreed upon, leaning members toward the new building. For instance, it was presented that “the cycle of a new building is 40 plus years as compared to 20 to 25 of a renovated building.” It was also concluded that “a new building would address 21st Century educational programs that benefit students and community in the long run, while avoiding the inherent risk/cost of renovations”, as one member put it. As another put it, “The Windham Middle School is teaching 21st Century classes in a seventies building environment. Science teachers have no lab, running water or the proper equipment, if any, to conduct experiments.” 

To further examine the issue of new versus renovation was the contents of a letter from Lyndon Keck, PDT Architects review of the WMS condition that was conducted in May of this year. As no stranger with new school construction and renovation Keck’s letter revealed a laundry list of faults with the school. In summary it was reiterated the school was built in 1977 making it 40 years old and at the end of its cycle. Reference was also made that interior walls were made from lumber, not steel with no air space between inner and outer exterior walls to allow for proper insulation. The windows are residential grade as are the roof shingles.

 

The end result was that after further review, in a board meeting on June 22, the following week, the RSU14 Board of Directors approved the Facilities Committee recommendation to go forward with the proposal. On September 7th there will be a board update with a communication plan to be finalized.

WMS Principal Drew Patin found the decision encouraging. Patin is no stranger to the logistics that now face Windham Middle School. He was involved with a similar situation as assistant principal of Sanford School Department. 

“While at Sanford the concerns, logistics and goals were the same. The only difference was that project was state funded,” Patin explained. 

When asked what his primary goal was Patin replied, “Our goal right now is to inform students and the community as a whole about the importance of how a building can influence the level of education. For instance the science labs in the present school are not equipped with running water making experiments difficult to perform. Students have to excuse themselves to retrieve water from the bathrooms or water fountains.” There are also safety concerns. As Patin put it, “there is no sprinkler system because the code was grandfathered.  

Additionally, there is a matter of the distance students have to go between the main building and Field Allen. The walk may seem short but in the winter months or other seasonal storms the trek can be hazardous. With a new school that concern would be eliminated. On top of that, “currently the school is not ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.”

“It is imperative that the proposal being presented reaches the ears of everyone. In order to help facilitate this, a survey is being planned and other means of communication such as a media campaign, face to face conversations, presenting material at polling places, community events and forums, and digital methods such as Twitter, Facebook and mass email. It is challenging to reach out because everyone has their own take on this proposal,” said Patin. “At least we are at a point now which can be considered full steam ahead. It is no longer a case of being one step forward and two steps back.”

On September 21st there will be a meeting held in the Superintendent’s Conference room from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The public is welcome. Patin expressed hope that there will be interested generated by attendants. Until then, more information and updates will become available, as it becomes available.

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Pleasant River Bridge undergoes load test - By Stephen Signor

It was just a few days ago drivers in Windham were being encouraged to avoid the bridge over the Pleasant River on Windham Center Road for the purpose of load testing the span. As Scott, a second year research engineer with the University of Maine explained, “This is part of ongoing research being conducted as a result of a multi-year contract with the University of Maine system and the MDOT for the purpose of establishing a bridge’s efficiency.”

The University’s participation stems from its Advanced Structures and Composites Center which provides research, education and economic development encompassing material sciences, manufacturing and engineering of composites and structures. And while a successful test is the obvious goal, the results at this point in the test are not conclusive. “Further analysis of the data takes about a year”, Scott said.

To accomplish this load test, “a full day is needed to carefully and precisely set up sensors that will be located in key point locations underneath the bridge”, said Josh Simpson, E.I.T., a 3-year assistant engineer and bridge inspector for MDOT. What happens next is that on the following day “two fully loaded dump trucks, containing a standard load of sand and gravel and provided by the MDOT, are then parked on predetermined marked locations. These two trucks will then move just inches back and forth in the proximity of where sensors are located the bridge, their wheels stopping periodically on the markers. As a static load this will provide valuable information on structural integrity,” explained Simpson. 

Using a laptop this information is uploaded for immediate review. “If the numbers are within a
certain range, then four trucks will be used to complete the test. If the numbers should not fall within the required results this sends up a red flag,” Simpson continued. He also brought home the point that, “Codes are established initially as conservative for safety reasons. Tests like this one then gives the department a real number to justify the conservative numbers.”

In the planning of the load test motorist considerations were also taken into account. Something as simple as a spray paint was used. Scott indicated, “Using spray paint, marks are made on the road service to indicate the placement of the dump trucks wheels. Since there are several marks for accurate test results doing it this way is time saving as opposed to using a tape measure for each individual mark before moving on to the next spot. 

According to the Maine Department of Transportation website this bridge was built in 1950. The bridge was last inspected in December of 2012, at which time it received a Federal Sufficiency Rating of 66.7 out of a possible 100. Those results were posted in a report dated 07/17/2013.

In the coming months similar tests will be performed statewide to insure that Maine’s infrastructure is maintained to provide safe and worry free traveling.