20 Facts About Paul Brechler

Paul Walter Brechler was an athletic director for the University of Iowa for 13 years and the first commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference.

Paul Brechler was a guard and end for the Bulldog football team and was the captain of Drake's 1933 team.

Paul Brechler graduated from Drake with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social studies in 1934.

Paul Brechler then became a high school coach at Harlan High School and at a high school in Iowa City.

Paul Brechler earned his master's degree in Physical education in 1941 and his doctorate degree in Education administration from in 1943 both from the University of Iowa.

Schroeder resigned as Iowa's athletic director, and Paul Brechler succeeded him on July 1,1947.

Paul Brechler hired Forest Evashevski in football, who won two Rose Bowls and three Big Ten championships.

Paul Brechler hired Bucky O'Connor in basketball, who won two Big Ten championships and led Iowa to two Final Fours.

Paul Brechler hired Francis Cretzmeyer in track and cross country, who led Iowa to multiple Big Ten titles.

Paul Brechler hired Dave McCuskey in wrestling, who led Iowa to its first conference championship in the sport, and Don Klotz in tennis, who coached Iowa to its only conference title in the sport in 1958.

Paul Brechler was responsible for the expansion of Iowa's athletics facilities.

Paul Brechler directed construction of the Athletics Office Building next to the Fieldhouse and Finkbine Golf Course.

Paul Brechler expanded seating capacity at Iowa Stadium and constructed a new press box at the facility.

In 1960, Paul Brechler left Iowa to become commissioner of the Skyline Conference.

Paul Brechler served as WAC commissioner for six years before taking the job as athletic director at the University of California in 1968.

Paul Brechler later became the commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, serving from 1976 to 1990.

Paul Brechler was named to the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Paul Brechler was selected to the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

In 2002, Paul Brechler was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.

Paul Brechler married to Wanda Krabbenhoft in 1957 until his death in 1997.