by Brooke Hall
IU Columbus is proud to announce Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dana Dunson was recently inducted into the Parkland College Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Coach Dunson is so well deserving of this accolade,” said Zach McClellan, IU Columbus Athletic Director. “Dana has a great knowledge of the game of basketball, but he also brings a kind spirit and humble presence that is such an asset to our program.”
Dunson played basketball for the Parkland Cobras from 1980-1981, earning NJCAA DII All-American Honorable Mention recognition following the 1981 season. Dunson was named MVP of three different tournaments that season, leading the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, and helped the Cobras upset No. 1 Kankakee Community College, the program’s first win over a top-ranked team.
In addition to playing for Parkland, Dunson played for Drake University where he was team captain; led rebounds, blocks and steals; and made first team all-conference. In addition, he earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Louisiana State University of Shreveport and his master’s of divinity in theology studies from Missionary Chapel Academy.
Dunson joined the Crimson Pride in 2023 from Louisiana, bringing 30 years of experience with him. “I love the challenge and the opportunity to become a part of a startup program,” he said. “I look forward to helping build the team from scratch, and seeing it grow and become successful.”
Prior to coming to IU Columbus, Dunson had served as head coach for men’s and women’s high school varsity teams, as well as head women’s basketball coach at Centenary College of Louisiana. In addition, he coached the Shreveport-Bossier Knights men’s semi-pro ABA basketball team.
“The Parkland College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction classes of 2023 and 2024 are both loaded with incredibly talented individuals,” Parkland College Athletic Director Brendan McHale said. “These induction classes will greatly complement the existing and impressive Hall of Fame Classes, and we are so proud and honored to celebrate the individual and the team inductees.”
The Parkland Cobras inducted their 16th and 17th Classes into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Feb. 17. The 2023 and 2024 classes include 12 individual inductees and the 2014-15 women’s basketball team. Dating back to the inaugural class of 2007, the Parkland Hall of Fame now features 110 inductees who range from players and teams to coaches and administrators. The ceremony took place at halftime of the No. 4 ranked Parkland men’s basketball game versus John Wood Community College, a 59-55 Cobra win at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex.
See the full list of Parkland Hall of Famers.