Brian Brunner

Weight:
0
Position:
Assistant Athletic Director - Annual Giving
Class:
Redshirt
Hometown:
Milwaukee, Wis.

Brian Brunner joined the Jackrabbit athletic staff on June 23, 2014, as the assistant athletic director for annual giving, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the Jackrabbit Club and directs all annual solicitation efforts. Brunner also serves as the sport administrator for the Jackrabbits men's and women's golf programs.

Brunner came to South Dakota State after spending four years in various roles at Central Michigan University. A former CMU student-athlete, he joined the Chippewa athletic department as its assistant director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund in November 2010 before earning a promotion to Chippewa Athletic Fund director in 2013, where he oversaw its annual fundraising efforts. He also managed the Chippewa Club, 1100 Club and Chippewa Champions programs, the Chippewa Challenge Golf Outing and provided oversight for all annual fundraising campaigns.

During his time with the Chippewa Athletic Fund, Brunner played a key role in two, record-setting million-dollar plus annual fundraising campaigns.

During his CMU football career, Brunner appeared in 21 games at quarterback and served as a 2008 team captain. He earned Mid-American Conference West Offensive Player of the Week honors three times, earning an ESPN Helmet Sticker for his performance against Western Michigan in 2008. He also earned Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week after a record-breaking performance against Indiana in 2008. Brunner threw for 485 yards and four touchdowns in the Chippewas’ 37-34 upset of the Hoosiers. He also was named a 2008 National Strength and Conditioning All-American.

Brunner served on both the CMU and MAC Student Athlete Advisory Committees and earned Academic All-MAC in 2006 and 2008. His work on the field and in the classroom also garnered a membership in the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society.

He received the prestigious Bill Boyden Leadership Award, which recognizes a student-athlete who displays an outstanding commitment to athletics, academics and community service and who serves as an exemplary representative of CMU.

In 2009, Brunner became the first-ever male recipient of the NCAA's Jim McKay award, which honors one graduating student-athlete for outstanding academic achievement and the potential to make a major impact on the sport communications industry.

Brunner played internationally for the Schwaebisch Hall Unicorns of the German Football League and compiled a blog for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called "Playing for Schnitzel" detailing his time overseas.

Brunner earned his Bachelor of Science degree in journalism with minors in English and sport studies from Central Michigan in 2009, and a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in public administration from CMU in 2014.

Brunner lives in Brookings with his wife, Melanie.