Central Junior High School Principal Frank Harwood believes the late Wilbur G. “Nanny” Duver would be pleased.

“Coach Duver would want the best for the students here, and the best was this new competition gym,” Harwood said Tuesday.

More than 150 community members, school district employees, parents and students gathered in the shiny new gymnasium at Central Junior High to dedicate the space in honor of the well-known physical education teacher and football coach.

Duver worked at Central and Lawrence High and coached for more than 30 years until he retired in 1981. He died in 1988 at age 72.

Central’s old gym was named after Duver.

“When that gym became music rooms, we didn’t want to diminish the memorial that he was given,” Harwood said.

Tuesday’s ceremony attracted former students and community members who recalled the days when Central was the site of Liberty Memorial High.

And they recalled – in pictures and words – Duver’s legacy.

“He was tough, but you knew he cared about you,” Superintendent Randy Weseman said.

Don “Red Dog” Gardner, a former student who leads the Red Dog Days community workout club, said Duver gave him his nickname years ago.

“You either loved him or you hated him, but as you got older you respected what he stood for,” Gardner said.

Longtime local radio personality Hank Booth recalled what it was like to have Duver for a coach.

“You followed the rules,” Booth said. “You respected authority. You developed character.”

The new gymnasium was part of a $54 million bond issue approved in 2005.

“It’s been exciting because it’s new and we’re the only ones who’ve used it,” said Abbie McLean, a Central High eighth-grader.