MANLIUS — Bureau Valley High School coach Dale Donner has been recognized by his peers for contributions to the sports of track and cross country.

The longtime Storm coach is one of seven coaches selected by the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame committee. They will be inducted at the annual ITCCCA Hall of Fame Banquet, on Jan. 10, 2015. This year there were more than 40 coaches nominated. Each of the candidates were evaluated on the three C’s — coaching record, contribution to the sports outside of coaching and character.

Evaluators said Donner is “respected and admired for his absolute commitment to the sport. He is a true cross country and track junkie, who possesses a quick sense of humor and commitment to his athletes. He has earned the respect and trust of generations of athletes.”

“I am honored to be considered in the same group as those others in the Coaches Hall of Fame,” Donner said. “It is nice to have the state recognize our program here at Bureau Valley. It is truly an award that is shared by our entire program. We have a tremendous coaching staff, great athletes, supportive parents, encouraging faculty and administration and a community that is willing to help our programs by volunteering at meets and supporting our athletes.”

Donner has been coaching cross country and track and field for 30 years as head coach at Buda Western, and after consolidation, at Bureau Valley.

In cross country, Donner has produced boys’ and girls’ teams which have 18 regional titles and have qualified for the state meet 11 times with six Top 10 finishes. His 2001 boys’ team placed second at the IHSA Class A State Meet, and his 2004 girls’ team came home with the third place state trophy. Sixteen times his cross country runners have earned all state honors. In 2004, he won ITCCCA Cross Country Coach of the Year honors.

In track and field his teams have won five conference and three sectional titles with two Top 10 finishes in the IHSA State meet. His athletes have 21 individual and 16 relay state medals.

In the offseason, Donner is the director of the Bureau Valley Track and Field Coaches Clinic in February for the last 15 years.

Another honoree is Tony Holler, track and field at Plainfield North and formerly of Harrisburg. He is the son of former Princeton High School basketball coach Don Holler.