Cornell College is celebrating the legacy of Barron Bremner with a special luncheon and program on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. at the Richard and Norma Small Multi-Sport Center.
Bremner may be the only man to successfully bridge the great divide between athletic rivals Coe and Cornell—not once, but twice. During a 42-year career he had a positive effect on the lives of thousands of student-athletes at both schools.
Memories of Bremner may be shared on a legacy blog. Limited seating for the luncheon is available by calling (319) 895-4204.
The Iowa Falls native, described by many as “larger than life,” earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Iowa, where he was a storied heavyweight wrestler and Rose Bowl football team member. In 1959 he began the first of two careers at Cornell. He was named head wrestling coach and assistant football and tennis coach and, over 12 years, coached six sports, taught, was dean of men, director of housing, and director of placement. In 1971 he left for Coe as athletic director, chair of the physical education department, and head wrestling coach.
In 1978 he was back to Cornell as athletic director, wrestling coach and assistant to the president. He began the job by personally moving 40 lockers from the Women’s Gym (now McWethy Hall) to the Fieldhouse to merge men’s and women’s athletics. Four years later he gave up his athletic duties and by 1985 was named vice president for institutional advancement and director of the $62 million Program for Cornell, which included the Small Multi-Sport Center.
In 1993 Bremner made his final career move, returning to Coe as athletic director. He retired in 2001. Bremner’s combined coaching record at Coe and Cornell includes 18 conference titles in 23 years. He is a member of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Hall of Fame and was chairman of the NCAA Division III National Tournament Committee. Of his six children, three earned degrees from Cornell. While living in Mount Vernon, he and his wife, Ginne, were active in community projects and service. They now reside in Iowa City.