Develop champions, graduate leaders

New Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) athletic director Paul Brunner describes the treatment he received from other JWP staff members during his first four weeks on the job as “kind” and “welcoming.”

Brunner comes from a different world than the one of small-town Janesville, having grown up in Lakeville, Minnesota and having earned his Master’s Degree in Leadership from North Central University in Minneapolis.

However, he can relate to the feel of a small school in a way. He attended a K-12 private school called Christian Life Academy (now defunct), a Class A school like JWP.

But working in a high school, let alone a small-town one? That’s a different perspective altogether for Brunner. “Immediately after graduating in 2014, I worked at North Central University for eight more years before coming here,” he explains.

During his tenure working at his alma mater, he was the head coach for the women’s basketball team, an associate athletic administrator, and helped coach the women’s golf team for two years. He considered coaching to be his first job and his role in administration as a secondary position. And it showed.

In his last year as head coach, the NCU basketball team had a 24-5 record and made it to the NCAA Division III National Championship. And it’s that same work ethic he’s bringing to JWP.

So…why JWP instead of a place closer to the Twin Cities? “My wife is from Glenwood, a city that has the same small-town dynamic as Janesville,” he explains.

According to him, he was open to all available options. But he does admit that the small-town feel was appealing to him. “I was especially interested because of the value that athletics can bring to a community like Janesville. High school athletics is supposed to bring people together.”

Brunner also has a vision laid out for his role at JWP. “My overall mission and vision for our athletic department is to develop champions and graduate leaders,” he states. “It’s something I spoke to the coaches about, and that is what I want to do in this position.”

How does he plan on doing that? Through the four C’s: Classroom, character of students, community, and competition. “Those are the areas of emphasis for our department.”

Brunner is definitely the right fit for the role, and he is excited to learn about JWP and its place in the Gopher Conference. His experience with the conference is limited as he never played against any of its schools. His only knowledge comes from recruiting students from member schools to North Central University.

“My job was to recruit students in high school to our college,” Brunner elaborates. “We recruited many students from the Gopher Conference.”

Brunner emphasizes his gratitude and optimism for his new role as JWP’s athletic director. “I am grateful to be able to serve the community of JWP, its students, and its staff,” he states. “My role is to find ways to support everyone and enhance their experience. I want to make students’ experience better.”

He recognizes there is a lot to learn in his first year, from adjusting schedules to learning about the facilities at the school. “There’s going to be a learning curve for sure,” he admits. “But it’s a group effort. It takes everybody to be successful.”

Brunner told JWP coaches: “Winning is a goal we have, but that’s not the purpose.” He elaborates, “Our purpose is to develop young men and women in school, build relationships, and provide an environment where they can thrive in activities.”

What’s made his new role easier is the relationship he’s built with former athletic director Ryan Luedtke. “He’s been great and kind to me,” Brunner says. “He’s open in helping me and answering my questions. He definitely added a lot of value during his time as athletic director at JWP.”

After nearly a month in his position, Brunner is ready for the school season to begin. He is in the process of moving his family from the Twin Cities to Waseca. He will also have a son who will start preschool as a Bulldog. “Family is important to me, and I’m excited to bring my wife and kids closer to Janesville!”