Jim Bunch

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Jim Bunch
No. 63
Date of birth (1956-03-10) March 10, 1956 (age 68)
Place of birth
Offensive guard
US collegeAlabama
Career history
As player
1976–1979Alabama Crimson Tide
1980West Virginia Rockets
Career highlights and awards

Jim Bunch (born March 10, 1956) is a former

.

Early life

As a native of

recruiting at that time.[2][3]

Playing career

Bunch entered the Alabama starting lineup in the third game of the 1976 season against Vanderbilt.[3] He was the only freshman to start during the season and was recognized as First Team Freshman All-SEC for his efforts.[2] Bunch remained as a fixture in the Crimson Tide offensive line over the next three seasons alongside Buddy Aydelette, Vince Boothe, Mike Brock and Dwight Stephenson and helped lead Alabama to an overall record of 43 wins and 5 losses (43–5) during his career at the Capstone.[2][3]

In recognition for his play during his sophomore and junior years, Bunch was a First Team All-SEC selection.[4] After his senior year, Bunch was named First Team All-SEC and as a consensus selection to the 1979 College Football All-America Team and was awarded the Douglas MacArthur Trophy in early 1980 in recognition for his achievements as a Virginia athlete outside the commonwealth.[3][4][5] In recognition of his accomplishments as a student athlete, the Virginia state legislature passed a resolution that declared February 2, 1980, as "Jim Bunch Day."[3]

Although he was a consensus selection to the All-America Team, Bunch went undrafted and was not signed as an

semi-professional with the West Virginia Rockets.[6]

Later life

After the completion of his playing career, Bunch returned to Alabama where he served as a graduate assistant on Bear Bryant's staff for the 1980 season.[2] After he completed his graduate degree, Bunch then worked for Quincy's Family Steakhouses for 25 years until his retirement in 2005.[2] Bunch now is an innkeeper at the Winston Place, a bed and breakfast in Valley Head, Alabama along with his wife Leslie.[2][7]

References

  1. ^ "1979 University of Alabama alphabetical roster" (PDF). RollTide.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  2. ^ . Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e Welch, Chris (February 17, 1980). "Moment to remember: Jim Bunch ranks HIS day right up there with two big Bama wins". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 5B. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "2012 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Record Book" (PDF). Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Athletics Media Relations Office. 2012. p. 219. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  5. ^ Award Winners I 2012 NCAA Division I Football Records (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). p. 8. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c Browning, Al (May 19, 1980). "From All-American to semi-pro ranks". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 10. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "Winston Place c. 1831: A National Register Property". VirtualCities.com. Retrieved March 11, 2013.