Coaching Profile: Bryan Brunk
Men's Wrestling
Cody Swartz
Issue date: 2/25/10 Section: Sports
Bryan Brunk, Messiah College's wrestling coach, follows the same philosophy on the wrestling mat as he does throughout his life: glorify God in all that you do. A fifth-year coach, Brunk encourages his 34 wrestlers to follow the same, and says "I always tell the guys to make practice a form of worship and do everything for God's glory."
A former standout wrestler and academic All-American in college, Brunk says he initially loved wrestling because it provided an escape. "I go into a training room and I train," Brunk said. "There's just complete peace, no stress, and it relaxes me. It allows me to fully exert myself, and that is what I love about wrestling." Brunk says his favorite part of wrestling is that it is an individual sport. "I am a super-competitive person and wrestling is just you against another individual. You know if you're the best or not."
Brunk cites his high school wrestling coach - Ted Reese, a 73-year-old English teacher - as his personal hero. "Coach Reese was the absolute ideal coach to wrestle for," Brunk said. "He was a brilliant man, he gave all of himself to the team, and we would have done anything for him." Brunk says much of what he does today as a coach models Reese's coaching viewpoint.
Brunk says there is a different atmosphere at a Christian school as opposed to a secular school. "The focus is just different here at Messiah," Brunk said. "I tell recruits that this is the best place in the country to wrestle." Brunk leads the team in a prayer session before every match. There are team devotions and small groups on the team, and Brunk mandates that all freshmen and sophomores attend two study halls per week.
Brunk's strong focus on academics has paid off over the years. His team earned the highest GPA in the nation in 2006 and finished second on two other occasions. "I do grade reports in the middle of every semester," Brunk said. "The Christian faith is the motivating factor in everything that we do, and it has helped us have strong academic success over the years."
Brunk's wrestling practices are much like his approach to the team - heavy emphasis on discipline, focus, and productivity. "Each practice is detailed minute to minute. They're never longer than two hours, but we keep it intense." Brunk's team finished the 2009-2010 season with a 10-9 record, made even more impressive by a 3-1 finish when it appeared the team was destined for a losing record. The Falcons capped off the regular season with a thrilling 21-14 triumph over rival Elizabethtown College, heading to the conference championships with plenty of confidence and momentum.
When asked what he hopes the members of his team accomplish during their four years with him, Brunk didn't mention winning championships or accumulating medals. "I hope when each wrestler is finished their career here, they are a man of God," Brunk said. "I hope they are leaders for Christ, and I hope they remember I cared, for the sport and for them as men."
A former standout wrestler and academic All-American in college, Brunk says he initially loved wrestling because it provided an escape. "I go into a training room and I train," Brunk said. "There's just complete peace, no stress, and it relaxes me. It allows me to fully exert myself, and that is what I love about wrestling." Brunk says his favorite part of wrestling is that it is an individual sport. "I am a super-competitive person and wrestling is just you against another individual. You know if you're the best or not."
Brunk cites his high school wrestling coach - Ted Reese, a 73-year-old English teacher - as his personal hero. "Coach Reese was the absolute ideal coach to wrestle for," Brunk said. "He was a brilliant man, he gave all of himself to the team, and we would have done anything for him." Brunk says much of what he does today as a coach models Reese's coaching viewpoint.
Brunk says there is a different atmosphere at a Christian school as opposed to a secular school. "The focus is just different here at Messiah," Brunk said. "I tell recruits that this is the best place in the country to wrestle." Brunk leads the team in a prayer session before every match. There are team devotions and small groups on the team, and Brunk mandates that all freshmen and sophomores attend two study halls per week.
Brunk's strong focus on academics has paid off over the years. His team earned the highest GPA in the nation in 2006 and finished second on two other occasions. "I do grade reports in the middle of every semester," Brunk said. "The Christian faith is the motivating factor in everything that we do, and it has helped us have strong academic success over the years."
Brunk's wrestling practices are much like his approach to the team - heavy emphasis on discipline, focus, and productivity. "Each practice is detailed minute to minute. They're never longer than two hours, but we keep it intense." Brunk's team finished the 2009-2010 season with a 10-9 record, made even more impressive by a 3-1 finish when it appeared the team was destined for a losing record. The Falcons capped off the regular season with a thrilling 21-14 triumph over rival Elizabethtown College, heading to the conference championships with plenty of confidence and momentum.
When asked what he hopes the members of his team accomplish during their four years with him, Brunk didn't mention winning championships or accumulating medals. "I hope when each wrestler is finished their career here, they are a man of God," Brunk said. "I hope they are leaders for Christ, and I hope they remember I cared, for the sport and for them as men."
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