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2018 Paul Brenner headshot  

PAUL BRENNER

Inducted: 2018 - Player

Hometown: Freeville, N.Y.

Born: August 6, 1956

 

 

Paul Brenner was regarded as one of the best all-around players in the 1970s. As a member of the Cornell Buds from 1975-1978, which featured three other future Hall of Fame players who later reached their peaks, Paul, along with fellow Hall of Famer Jon Cohn was the primary focus of opponents. Paul had the vision, intensity and talent to dominate the ultimate field and helped lead his Cornell teams into the semifinals and finals of the biggest tournaments of this era. Paul is acknowledged as being among the first to perfect the hammer throw, illuminating its potential as a major offensive weapon and zone buster. He used that expertise to team with Cohn to win the Double Disc Court event at the ‘81 World Overall Championships. Paul continued to play in the club open division well into the early 90s, but in relative obscurity on teams in upstate New York. While these teams lacked the experience or depth to compete for national championships, Paul used the situation to teach many youngsters how to play the game along the way.

 

 


Playing Career | US Nationals | WFDF Worlds | Contributions & ServiceInterview

   

Playing Career

Year
Team Name
1974-1978, 1980, 1985-1987, 1989-1993, 1997   Cornell
1979   Boston Aerodisc
1981-1982   Zekreation
1983-1984   Fuchsia Shock

 

US National Championship Tournaments

Name    City    Year    Division    Placing
Cornell       1975   Open   Third
Cornell       1976   Open   Fifth
Cornell       1977   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1978   Open   Second
Aerodisc   Boston   1979   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1980   Open   Regionals
Zekreation       1981   Open   Regionals
Zekreation       1982   Open   Regionals
Fuchsia Shock       1983   Open   Regionals
Fuchsia Shock       1984   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1985   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1986   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1987   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1989   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1990   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1991   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1992   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1993   Open   Regionals
Cornell       1997   Open   Regionals  

 

Paul Brenner 1


5'9" Paul Brenner skies for the disc above his defenders, even taking it away from his 6'4" teammate. 

 

Interview

Q: What position(s) (e.g., handler, deep cutter, middle middle) did you usually play?

A: I played pretty much everywhere, as I was our primary handler and also a deep threat. In zone, I played middle middle or deep, and in man, I matched up with toughest cover.

Q: Please describe your major accomplishments - both as a teammate and individual.

A: I started out as a receiver and tough defender, but I gradually took on more of a handler role, eventually becoming the primary handler, team leader and player/coach.

Q: Please explain why you stood out among the elite players of your time.  What was it that you did best, or were known for? 

A: I was best known for my athleticism and leadership.

Q: What role did you play on the best (or most overachieving team) that you played on?

A: I was our primary defensive stopper and our mid and deep receiver.

Q: What year was the peak of your career?  During which years were you playing as the "stud" of your team?  If you continued playing after your peak years, how did your role change?  In what year did you stop playing at the top competitive level?

A: That is a tough one, but my competitive peak would probably be 1978 since we made it to the national finals. That was also probably close to the athletic peak, but not as the stud, since we had Jon Cohn, Jim Herrick, Dan Weiss and Chris Van Holmes on the team. I probably took over the stud role from 1980 onward. Most of those teams were competitive at regionals, but didn’t advance to nationals as it was a tough region.

Q: Have you served in an official capacity as an officer, committee member, coordinator, or volunteer for USA Ultimate/UPA or other recognized ultimate or disc sports organization, or as a coach of a team?  Describe role and dates served.

A: I've served many years as the regional coordinator.

Q: Have you made other contributions to the development of ultimate?

A: I've produced two women’s ultimate players and did lots of coaching/teaching/clinics.

Q: Why do you believe you are worthy of being inducted into the Ultimate Hall of Fame?

A: I played with and against several of the current Hall of Famers and more than held my own. Also, I continued to be the main guy on those regionals teams for a long time, teaching many youngsters along the way. I finished with a 19-year career playing in the open division at regionals or better.

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