Gregory Charles Brune

Name: Gregory Charles Brune
Year of Induction into the Southeast Hall of Fame: 2011 (Individual)
Sports: Football, baseball. 1964-1968

SOUTHEAST ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS:

A two-time All-Conference quarterback, Brune earned a total of seven varsity letters and was a four-year starting infielder. He ranks among Southeast's all-time career football leaders in several statistical categories. Brune signed a professional contract with the Continental Football League's Chicago Owls as both a quarterback and punter.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

Brune was a salesman for _____________ Drugs for __ years. Upon his retirement from the company, he accepted the position at the University as _____________. He retired from that position in _________.

Brune married the former Barbara Hobbs of Cape Girardeau. They have three sons, Brent, Brian and Bob and six grandchildren. All of the Brune sons also played football for Southeast Missouri State University.

AN INTERVIEW:

Why did you decide to come to Southeast Missouri State University? I never really considered any other place although I had several offers. My family had "Southeast" blood running in their veins and my parents wanted their four sons to stay at home and get an education. They also wanted to be able to see all the games. I had a baseball and a football scholarship at Southeast and that helped me make up my mind. On the second day I was enrolled on campus, the coach at Mizzou called about giving me a baseball scholarship but my mind was already set on Southeast.

What do you remember about your first days on campus? I lived at home but my life still changed. My scholarship money was still sent to me at home. It was $980 for room, board and tuition. I went to football practice but I had to study, in the meantime, for all my marketing classes since I was a Business major.

Who influenced you while you were on campus? I would have to say the coaches because they were such a big part of my life. Jim Hamby, Coach Kenny Knox, Kenny Hargens, Tom Thrower, all of these and more were influences upon my playing career and my attitude toward winning and losing.

What is your favorite memory of your athletic career at Southeast? That is easy. My Senior year when we won the conference 8-2.

How did athletics and/or the University help prepare you for your career? I don't know how athletics prepared me for my career, but it sure prepared me for the service OTS when I was sent to Viet Nam. It also prepared me physically to meet the challenges when I graduated of going through the arduous training at Soldier's Field every day. I graduated in May, got married in July and I caught a plane to Chicago to begin training!