Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Frances “Dixie” Dunbar was the first athlete to receive a full scholarship to run track & field at Villanova.  A local product, he was a member of the track & field team at West Philadelphia Catholic High School, graduating in 1940 and holding the Philadelphia-area quarter-mile record at the time.  His time at Villanova was interrupted by World War II, and Dunbar attended King’s Point Merchant Marine Academy before honorably serving his country during the war.  He was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1993 and is also a member of his high school’s Hall of Fame.
 
Dunbar became the head coach at Monsignor Bonner High School, where he was remembered for the enthusiasm he showed towards his student-athletes and for rallying alumni support for the program during his tenure.  He later arrived at Haverford College as a part-time track & field coach in 1966, and he continued to coach the Fords until 1975 when he was succeeded by another Villanova Hall of Famer, Tom Donnelly. 
 
“Dixie was the most amazing, nice guy you will ever meet,” Donnelly said of his fellow Villanovan.  “In addition to coaching, he held his full-time position with the College and made himself available 20 hours a day.  His ability to hold a full-time position at Haverford and lead a college team speaks volumes about his dedication to every person at Haverford College.” 
 
Dunbar was the Mechanical Maintenance Director at Haverford and retired from his full-time position in 1984.  A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, Dunbar passed away in 2015 at the age of 94.