Honoring Barron Bremner
There were two new honors this fall for Cornell fixture Barron Bremner. The college held an event to honor the legacy of the longtime coach, athletic director, and teacher (along with many other positions!), and Cornell and Coe announced the formation of the Bremner Cup.
The cup will feature the long-time rivals competing for an all-sport traveling trophy named in honor of Bremner, a legendary coach and administrator with 42 collective years of service at the two institutions.
The Bremner celebration, held at the Small Multi-Sport Center, featured colleagues and former students who spoke of what Bremner taught them.
Steve Miller ’65, former athletic director, football coach, and associate director of development, emceed the event. He told the crowd of the impact Bremner had on the hundreds of students he coached and taught during his time at Cornell, and how he filled every role with characteristic vigor.
“The job has not been created that this man, with his multiple talents, and supreme self-confidence, could not do,” Miller said.
Bob Bowman ’62, who played football, spoke about the impact Bremner had on the gridiron. “Barron brought an irrepressible spirit that was infectious to all and a seriousness of purpose that made him someone you did not want to disappoint,” he said. “What we liked about him most was that he always led. We admired him for it. And we were the better for it. He was by far the best part of my football experience at Cornell—and I do not know a single soul who played for Barron at the time, or later on, who would not say the same thing.”
Trustee and tennis player Ted Meads ’67 spoke about the lessons Bremner taught his students. “There were the life lessons that all of us who were privileged to be coached or taught by him took with us after leaving Cornell,” Meads said. “Do the right thing; be honest; love life; work hard; stand up for what you believe in; laugh at yourself; have humility; and put your family first.”
Web extra – You can see video from the celebration, as well as read comments left for Bremner by alumni who couldn’t attend, at http://crnl.co/barron.
