Brechler History

A native of Curlew, Iowa, and a graduate of Emmetsburg High School, Drake University and the University of Iowa, Paul W. Brechler served as the business manager for the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1946-47. In 1947, he was named director of athletics. In fact, at age 36, he was the youngest director of athletics in the history of the Big Ten Conference.

Brechler administered one of the many golden eras in intercollegiate athletics at the UI. He was the individual responsible for the hiring of some of the greatest names in the history of the Hawkeyes including Forest Evashevski, Bucky O’Connor, F.X. Cretzmeyer, Dave McCuskey and Don Klotz

During his tenure, University of Iowa teams won three Big Ten football championships and two Rose Bowl games, made two appearances in the Final Four in men’s basketball, and won Big Ten championships in four additional sports. Numerous student-athletes earned all-Big Ten and all-America honors and many advanced to participation in the Olympics.

Brechler also was responsible for expansion of the UI’s athletics facilities. He directed construction of the Athletics Office Building adjacent to the UI Fieldhouse and the UI’s award-winning Finkbine Golf Course and clubhouse, and expanded seating capacity and constructed a new press box at what was then known as Iowa Stadium.

Brechler’s career in intercollegiate athletics included stints as the commissioner of the Skyline, West Athletic and Rocky Mountain conferences, and director of athletics at the University of California.

He is a member of the Des Moines Register Sports Hall of Fame, the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, and the University of Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame.