Bremner’s the tie that binds for Coe, Cornell

Coe and Cornell, whose wrestling programs are forever linked by a one key figure, renew their rivalry on the mat Friday night.

Barron Bremner, 73, served as wrestling coach and athletics director at both schools and is in their athletics halls of fame. Bremner will be the guest of honor Friday at the Dan Gable Wrestling Institute and Museum's breakfast at the Cedar Rapids Marriott. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.; food is served at 8:30. Tickets are $15. Coe Coach John Oostendorp and Cornell Coach Mike Duroe will speak.

Bremner owns a 196-39-3 overall dual record in 23 seasons coaching at the schools. Bremner coached 13 wrestlers to All-American honors, including Cornell's 1963 167-pound national champion Jim Gass and Coe's first national runner-up Nick Hobbs in 1975 and 1976.

“I'm a fan of the schools and a fan of the teams. Both of them,” Bremner said. “I have a great respect ... (and) great memories from both of them.”

At Cornell, he led the Rams to 11 Midwest Conference titles and two runner-up finishes from 1959 through '71 and again from 1978 through '82. Bremner guided Cornell to fifth at the 1963 NCAA Division II Championships, which was the first of three straight top-20 performances.

The Kohawks won five MWC titles during his tenure from 1971 through '78.

“Each time I moved I had to overcome the strong team I just left,” said Bremner, who was a heavyweight for the University of Iowa and a member of the Hawkeyes' 1957 Rose Bowl football team.

Bremner filled a variety of roles at Coe, including athletics director, wrestling coach, assistant football coach and professor. He retired in 2001.

Oostendorp has surpassed many of Bremner's marks at Coe, which placed fourth in the last two NCAA tournaments. Bremner hired Oostendorp, who has coached Tyler Burkle to an individual title.

Make breakfast reservations by e-mailing orders@wrestling

museum.org or calling (319) 233-0745.

Friday's dual meet is

7 p.m. at Cornell in Mount Vernon.