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Brunner returning to his alma mater

WHITEWATER — Dan Brunner is returning to UW-Whitewater to repay a debt.

An All-America tight end in the mid-’70s under Whitewater football coach Forrest Perkins, Brunner has joined the Whitewater football staff as an assistant coach, the school announced Monday.

Brunner recently retired from teaching and coaching at Hartford Union High School for 19 years. He led the Orioles to a 10-2 record last season, with the team advancing to the WIAA Division 1 quarterfinals.

Brunner compiled a 135-52 record at Hartford, including seven conference titles. Brunner was head coach at St. Francis High School for 13 years and won a Parkland Conference championship in 1980.

Included in his illustrious coaching career, Brunner is a past president of the State High School Coaches Association and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996.

With all his football success, Brunner believes he owes UW-Whitewater a debt of graditude.

“When I played for Coach Perkins, he always referred to the strength of being part of the “Warhawk family,” Brunner said. “His guidance has played a big role throughout my life.

“As I progressed in my coaching career, I hoped that I could return to that Warhawk family in a coaching capacity and give back to a place tht helped form the foundation of a wonderful professional career. This opportunity allows me to do that.’’

Brunner lettered four times and earned all-confernce honors three times. He earned NCAA All-American honors in 1975.

The 1974-’75 Warhawks won the WIAC titles. Brunner’s years saw the Warhawks post 7-3, 6-2-2, 8-3 and 8-3 records. He had 82 receptions for 1,008 yards as a Warhawk.

After finishing his career at Whitewater, Brunner had tryouts with the Green Bay Packers in 1976 and 77. He was elected to the UW-Whitewater Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.