Hall of Fame

C.J. Dunn

  • Class
  • Induction
    1992
  • Sport(s)
    Men's Basketball , Administration
  • Alabama State
Background & Education
  • C.J. Dunn was born in Monroe, Georgia.
  • He earned a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College (graduating in 1925) and a master’s degree from University of Michigan in 1935.
  • He served at ASU for about 46 years in various roles.
Roles & Contributions at ASU
  • He served as head men’s basketball coach at ASU from 1934 to 1963.
  • During his coaching tenure, he recorded 298 wins—the most for any Hornets men’s basketball coach at ASU.
  • Beyond basketball, Dunn took on multiple roles including baseball coach, professor, Dean of Students, and Athletic Director at ASU.
  • He also served as Commissioner of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Legacy & Honors
  • In recognition of his contributions, ASU named major facilities after him (along with another coach):
    • The arena Dunn–Oliver Acadome is named in part for him.
    • The residence hall C.J. Dunn Tower on campus also bears his name.
  • He’s included among ASU athletics’ Hall of Fame/major honorees.
Significance
  • Dunn is a key figure in ASU athletics and institutional history:
  • He was a long-term educator, coach, and administrator at a historically black university.
  • His multi-decade service and versatility (coach, professor, dean, AD) mark him as a foundational staff member in ASU’s growth.
  • The naming of major campus landmarks after him signals his enduring legacy on campus.
  • His 298 wins as basketball coach set a benchmark for the Hornets program.