Released: Aug. 17, 1999

Former Centre football star inducted into College Hall of Fame

DANVILLE, KY -- Jack C. "Teel" Bruner, a former gridiron star at Centre College who now is a family physician, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame last weekend (Aug. 13-14) in ceremonies held in South Bend, Ind. In a year when the Hall of Fame also inducted Bo Jackson for his Auburn career and Jim McMahon for his exploits at Brigham Young, Bruner was the only player inducted from an NCAA Division III college.

Bruner graduated from Centre in 1986 after a standout career as a defensive back. He intercepted 20 passes during his career, including five in one game, tying an NCAA record. He was named to Kodak All-America teams as a junior and a senior and was a three-time all-conference selection. He also played basketball at Centre.

Now a family physician in Cottonwood, Idaho, Bruner excelled in the classroom as well, graduating magna cum laude in a pre-medical curriculum. He made the GTE Academic All America first team in 1984 and 1985. Bruner went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Kentucky.

"I'm really happy for Teel," said Centre athletic director Joe McDaniel, who also served as head football coach during Bruner's career. "He was a fine football player and a leader on our team. Teel epitomized the term 'scholar-athlete' during his time at Centre. This is a great honor for him and for Centre College."

McDaniel attended the Hall of Fame ceremonies, along with retired Centre basketball coach Tom Bryant, sports information director Ed Rall and assistant basketball coach Matt Vonderbrink.

A native of London, Ky., and a 1982 graduate of Laurel County High School, Bruner and his wife, Kellie, have three children.

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Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422

Coordinator of Public Information: Patsi Barnes Trollinger
Telephone 606-238-5719 · trllngrp@centre.edu