NAPPANEE – The Northwood boys basketball holiday tournament will now be named after the coach who put Panther basketball on the map.

The event, set for Dec. 29-30 this year, will be named the Dan Gunn Classic. Joining the host Panthers for the two-day event will be South Bend Clay, Mishawaka and Edwardsburg.

Gunn began his 36-year coaching career at NorthWood in 1975. He spent three seasons there before stops at Lafayette Harrison, Penn and Marion. Gunn returned to NorthWood in 1992, taking over a program that had posted losing records in nine straight seasons. He guided the Panthers to winning seasons in 13 of the 15 years he was in charge, winning sectional titles in 1995, 2001 and 2007. Gunn also directed NorthWood to its only two Northern Lakes Conference crowns in 2000 and 2007 and the program’s lone regional title in 2007.

Gunn, who still resides in Wakarusa, retired from coaching in 2013 after his final stop at Edwardsburg. He posted a career record of 514-318 and won 10 sectionals, six conference titles and four regional championships.

The Dan Gunn Classic will open on Dec. 29 with Edwardsburg versus Clay at 6 p.m., followed by NorthWood against Mishawaka. The consolation and championship games will be Dec. 30.