Ford Brunner III (1983) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Ford Brunner III

Induction:
1983
Class:
1968

1966-67
Soccer
‘68
Ford Brunner is another athlete who, over a short period, made a name for himself while making a significant contribution to the UA soccer program in the 1966 and ’67 seasons. A transfer from Wesleyan College, Brunner was brought to the UA campus by Stu Parry, the father of the Zip soccer program. Along with Hall of Famer and fellow co-captain, Joe Queiroga, Brunner, a goalie, keyed the Zip defense that allowed the opposition only two goals a game en route to a 10-3 campaign in ’66. Included in that record was a 7-0 mark against Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association (OCSA) foes and the championship. However, UA’s first season in the NCAA I came to an end with 2-0 loss to Michigan State in the Midwest Playoffs. Brunner earned first-team All-Ohio and All-Midwest honors and All-American honorable mention. In 1967, the Zip booters again captured the OCSA Championship. However, in compiling a 12-3 mark the team advanced to the quarterfinals in NCAA I postseason play further than any previous Zip soccer squad before. Again, it was Michigan State, who eventually earned the co-championship with St. Louis, that ended UA’s hopes, 3-1. Brunner, who posted five shutouts during the season, and meager 1.67 goals per game average, was voted first-team All-Midwest. Later, Brunner became the only UA goalie ever to gain first-team All-American honors. Goalie Ed Long, the Zips’ very first soccer All-American in 1957, was an honorable mention choice. Brunner, an Akron Athlete native, had further distinction to be voted Athlete of the Year by the UA coaching staff for the 1967-68 school year. A 1968 UA graduate, Brunner is employed with Yellow Freight System in Richfield.