Former Bell-Jeff Coach Dies After Lengthy Illness
Joe Dunn, boys’ basketball coach at Bell-Jeff High from 1978-90, died Saturday at Northridge Medical Center after a six-year struggle with spinal neuromuscular atrophy.
The illness--which is very rare--is similar to Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It impairs the nervous system’s ability to function properly, which in turn leads to atrophy and deterioration of the body’s muscles.
Dunn, 54, guided Bell-Jeff to a pair of Santa Fe League titles during his tenure at Bell-Jeff.
In 1988, he led an undersized Guard team--no starter was taller than 6-foot-2--to the Southern Section 1-A Division title game before losing to Beaumont, 80-66.
Scott Haskin, a 6-11 center from Oregon State who was the 14th player taken in this year’s NBA draft, scored 58 points for Beaumont in that game.
Dunn is survived by his wife Doris, 49, and his children David, 27, Kimberly, 26, Jennifer 24, and Greg, 22.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
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