Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League

Category: Official | Sports: Football, Lacrosse

A 1961 graduate of West Greene, Charles Evans Hunnell devoted more than six decades to the game of football as an official, educator, and mentor, establishing a legacy of service that extends far beyond the field. He began his officiating career in 1962 at the age of 19, becoming a card-carrying PIAA football official while still a sophomore at Penn State University, and served continuously through December 1, 2025. Hunnell officiated his first game in 1963 and went on to become a longtime member of the Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association before joining the Eastern Association of Intercollegiate Football Officials, where he served from 1976 through 2025. After concluding his on-field officiating career in 2014, he transitioned into training and mentoring the next generation of officials, helping establish post-season training sessions that continue to this day. Beginning in 2002, Hunnell volunteered as the EAIFO Rules Interpreter and continued in that role for more than a decade after leaving the field, providing guidance and leadership throughout the officiating community. A Vietnam Veteran, he served in the United States Navy and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve. Beyond athletics, Hunnell dedicated nearly 30 years to education as a teacher at Upper St. Clair High School and has remained deeply involved in service to education, history, and athletics.