Former Owatonna Athletic Director Earl Bruhn Passes Away

Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame member and longtime athletic director Earl Bruhn died Saturday, November 28. He was 92.

Bruhn was Owatonna's athletic director from 1954-85. He was named Minnesota's Athletic Director of the Year in 1976. Bruhn served on the board of the Minnesota State High School League and was president of the Minnesota State Coaches Association.

During his time as the Indians' AD he oversaw the expansion of varsity sports from six boys programs to 18 varsity teams. He helped establish elementary youth programs and worked to develop a junior high league across the region. Bruhn came to Owatonna in 1947 as the park and recreation director. He was named to the Owatonna High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bruhn was a 1941 Mound High School graduate and lettered in four sports. He enlisted in the Marines and did his officer training at Penn State and Northwestern, where he lettered in several sports. He also earned five letters in football and baseball at the University of Minnesota.

Visitation is Friday, December 4, at Michaelson Funeral Home from 3-7PM. Private family services will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.