Floyd Bunt Jr. (1942-2025)

Floyd Bunt Jr. shown during a 1973 game between Whitman and Washington State (Tim Marsh/Whitman Athletics)

Floyd Bunt, recognized as the father of Whitman College soccer, died last month in Ventnor City, New Jersey. He was 83.

Bunt was both the founding varsity men’s and women’s soccer coach of Whitman. The men transitioned from club to varsity status in 1973 to become the first varsity program east of the Cascades, and the women became the first varsity women’s program in Washington in 1977. He guided the men to four conference championships and remains the WC men’s leader in win percentage (.613), going 106-67-26.

Bunt was inducted to the Whitman Athletics Hall of Fame in April 2025. Unable to travel from the East Coast to Walla Walla, he attended virtually.