Eastern, Winter 1983 Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Alumni News University Archives 1983 Eastern, Winter 1983 Eastern Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news Recommended Citation Eastern Michigan University, "Eastern, Winter 1983" (1983). Alumni News. 239. http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news/239 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Alumni News by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Publlcatlon for Alumni, Parents and Friends of Eastern Michigan University ....... .. �� --- ti 7 Never before has this nation had a greater need for educated minds ... to help solve problems of energy, the economy, equal rights, employment, and the environment. Higher education must be a higher priority because educated people solve problems. Support our colleges and universities! Your career • • • making the right moves Volume 5, Number 5, Winter 1983 -- A Publlcatlon for Alumni, Parenta and Friend• of Eastern Michigan University -- Regents appoint iiew Alumni Direct r , . What can EMU do for you'' , . relations and sports information at present. He cites his wife, Luella, as his That's what Jim Brunnemer wants to Indiana Central for nine years and as strength and teammate in all endeavors know. director of alumni relations at St. saying, "She's right there with me in As the newly appointed director of Norbert College in Wisconsin since everything I do.'' alumni relations at EMU, Brunnemer 1980. The Brunnemers have two sons, sees the assessment of alumni needs as Brunnemer is enthusiastic about his Beau, 14 and Kyle, 12. one of his first tasks. new position and EMU. Not being an In his free time Brunnemer is a sports "In many ways the office of alumni EMU alumnus may seem like a disad- enthusiast and enjoys fishing and the relations is a service office," he said. vantage to some, but Brunnemer outdoors. "I began my career as a teach- "Too often alumni relations is a one way doesn't see it that way. "You get to er and coach so you know sports will street and we tend not to turn the role know a school through its alumni and always play a big role in my leisure around. I see my role as that of reaching not being an alumnus myself makes activities. You can be sure I'll be out out to alums and asking them what the relationships I form with alumni there rooting for the Hurons," he said. they'd like to see happen, as well as even more important," he said. Brunnemer replaces Ralph F. Gilden seeking their continued support." "I do love people, and with 12 years of who served as di rector of alumni A former resident of De Pere, Wis., experience behind me I do have ideas relations until his retirement in June Brunnemer earned his bachelor's degree for EM U's alumni program, but first 1982. Mary Wiermanski, executive from Indiana Central University in we'll have to see what's in place," assistant to the president, has served as 1966, a master's degree in education Brunnemer said. He assumed his duties acting director during the interim. from Indiana University in 1971 and a Jan. I. doctorate from 1-U in 1980. When you talk with Brunnemer the He served as director of alumni ''we" in his vocabulary is frequently Recreation Center named for Olds Lloyd W. Olds '16 felt deeply hon professional activities in physical ored when he learned that Eastern's education and athletics including sparkling new intramural facility would election to the National Collegiate bear his name, Association's Track and Field Hall of . Perhaps his only regret in life was Fame, the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame, -· that he never was able to visit his name and fellowship in the Michigan School sake . Olds died Dec. 2, 1982 in Health Association. Olds also has Laguna, Calif. following a brief illness. served as president of Sigma Delta Psi He was 90. national athletic fraternity and was a Dedicating the building in Olds' member of the National Physical name was altogether fitting since it was Education Committee as an advisor to Olds who establisbed EM U's first the armed forces. intramural program in 1921 and Throughout his 40 years of dedicated .service to atletics and physical fitness, expanded activities to provide an The building includes 15 racquetball and held a doctorate in public athletic experience for all students. Olds' most publicized success was courts, a slimnastics room, a weight health from the University of Michigan, The new building was dedicated gained by his ability to produce winning room, the 50 meter pool, an indoor always carried a torch for his first love during Homecoming festivities Satur track and cross country teams at running track, a utility gym and a main in athletics-track and field. day, Oct. 16. Hospitalized and unable to Eastern. When told of the impressive list of return to his old alma mater, Olds was During his 21 years as a track coach gym. A hotel-style club pool complete with equipment that comes with the new represented by his daughter and son-in at EM U-1921 to 1942-his teams won walk-in whirlpool and sauna is planned building, the former Huron track coach law at the ceremonies. 85 percent of their meets. From 1923 to for the Warner Building which current queried, "Did they leave room for a But Olds, who was born just two 1931 his teams were 63-5 for a . 926 ly is under renovation. quarter-mile track on the west side of miles north of campus on Geddes Road, winning percentage. Olds, who graduated from EMU in the building?" remembered his unparalleled career at Olds lettered in track and cross Lloyd Olds always loved a footrace. Eastern as a faculty member, intra country at Eastern four years ( 1912-16) mural director and outstanding track and was captain of the track team in coach. 1912 and 1914. "I was astonished to learn that they But Olds, who served as head of the had named the building after me ... I Department of Physical Education am deeply honored. It came as quite a from 1956 to 1963, was just as proud of A message from surprise," Olds said. his role in developing the University's In light of all of Olds' accomplish intramural program as he was of his Lloyd W. Olds ments through, it's not difficult to more celebrated athletic successes. understand why EMU lists him high on "When I came to Eastern Professor a list of favorite sons. In fact, someone (Wilbur) Bowen was head of the Oct. 16, 1982 would be hard put to come up with an Department of Physical Education and individual who has done more to foster he let me know that one of my chief Lloyd Olds' health did no, permi1 him 10 be presen, a, 1hectedica1ionof1he amateur athletics in Michigan. duties was to establish an intramural Uoi•d W. Olds Sruden1 Recreation Center. However, he did send this Consider the following: program. We only had four regular men me;sage which was played during 1he ceremony. • Olds established Michigan's first on the staff back then in our department President Porter, Regents, faculty, students, alumni and my boys, I'm high school interscholastic cross coun so I used 30 to 40 students as managers deeply grateful for the honor you have bestowed upon me by naming this try meet and basketball tourmanent. and developed a pretty good system. magnificent building after me. In 1928, when Professor Bowen brought me EMU hosted the state cross country "We had three classes of competition back to campus to establish the first intramural program, we never even meet for nearly 50 years. -all campus, interclass and interfra dreamed of such a fine facility. In fact the Unviersity has grown so much that • Olds founded EMU's intramural ternity -and the student managers were the Recreation Center is probably located where we used to go hunting program and established golf as a responsible for running 19 sports. We rabbits by day and courting by night. varsity sport. developed our own system and Profes When we established our program it was so popular that even our • Olds designed the distinctive sor Bowen gave me a small budget. We neighbors seven miles to the west copied our program and hired one of our "zebra shirt" worn by basketball and didn't have a building. all the sports graduates to implement their program. football officials today. were outdoors," Olds remembered. I want to pay honor to all the young men and women who were volunteers • Olds served as an associate Olym Olds also recounted that the U niver in the program. One of the basic elements of the program was that all the pic track and field coach and manager sity earned rccognit ion in the 1920s for people volunteered their work so that they and all of the participants could of the American team at the Pan having one or the most exten ive enjoy the fruits and experience of competition and at the same time have fun American games in 1939. intramural programs offered by a and get good physical development. All of those managers, as we called them • Olds has served as chairman of the college in the Midwest. back in those days, are part of this fine structure. The University and I say Track and Field section of the Amateur The former coach and educator was "thank you." Athletic Union, was president of the undeniably plea�cd that hi� name was This building represents people and teamwork that sports should Michigan chapter of the organiLation placed on the University's 187.000 symboliz.e.

Load more