Remembering Tommy Brunette
Amy Hayes (professional ring announcer and model)
I think we are all just in shock. I think he would have wanted the show
to go on like it did. I just wanted to make him happy. Tommy has been
more then a friend to me. He was here at a time when I needed additional
friendship. We had a little parting of ways last year and had not spoken
for a while. It was just November that we started talking again. I sent
him a wedding invitation. We talked about how we are family and how much
we loved each other. I was just thinking about what would have happened
if I had not sent that. He had me come out a week before my wedding. I
made one special trip to do one show only and it was for him. He is just
really well loved and for anybody that does not know him I want to say
that he is really special and tender and so many more good things, he
had that side. I’m sure many other people have seen many other sides
but I knew the side that would help people that needed help. He made me
feel like family and I will always remember him.
Grover Wiley (professional boxer)
He is the reason I love coming up here. When you come up here, he treats
you like a king. You get top-notch hotel rooms, everybody knows you. In
boxing, people don’t just get to know you, you have to have a promoter
that does that. When it comes to hyping a fight, Tommy is all over the
place. He was a connection man, he knew everybody. He made me feel like
I was the main event every time I fought here even though I was on the
undercard. And that’s why I love it up here. Some places they don’t
even know you. They throw you in the loser’s locker room. But here
I would come up here a month ahead of time. Before I was married I would
be getting in trouble back home in Omaha. He would tell me to come up
and stay with him to get away from all that. I would come up, work out
for a month. He let me know that his place was always open. He was a great
guy.
Chuck "Sharky" Horton (Manager and Co-trainer
of Zach "Jungleboy" Walters)
"I'd like to dedicate this fight (Walters' TKO over Mike Wood) to
Tommy Brunette. All I can say is that he died doing what he loved. He
gave us a chance. A lot of people said a lot of things about Tommy, but
I think this is a time for us to all rally around the whole Brunette family.
I want to say this is for you, Tommy."
Zach Walters ( Professional Boxer)
I met Tommy several months ago. He was very encouraging about my boxing
future and told me he was excited to watch me fight. I had heard different
things about Tommy, but to me, he was a straight shooter and made the
things he said come to life. He seemed to be a natural at that. Stepping
in the ring that night at the Ball Room Blitz, I wanted Tommy and those
involved to be happy they gave me a shot. My team and I dedicated the
fight to him. Tommy gave me a chance to box on TV for my first time and
I am very thankful for that. It is rare a fighter gets a chance to make
his television debut in his home state. Tommy made that happen for me.
After my fight was over, tears welled up in my eyes as I walked back to
the dressing room. I wished he could have been there to see me fight.
I think he would have been happy to see it. Tommy, thank you for bringing
me to the next level of my career. May you rest in peace knowing that
I'll always do my best.
Mark Nelson (World Class Referee)
"Tommy was always good to me. He was one of the biggest promoters
in the Upper Midwest. I was always invited to work. My pro debut, the
first pro fight that I ever refereed was a Brunette card. He was always
good to me."
Fred Berns (promoter)
He was generous and a lot of fun to hang, drink with, though he could
be taxing to do business with! He ran a construction business in addition
to his boxing business and was a hard a worker as there was. If he didn't
like you, you knew it immediately, and no man or weapon could intimidate
him. If he liked you, the party never ended. Those of us who worked with
Tommy over the years will sorely miss him. He was truly, one of a kind."
Michael Marley (Trainer of heavyweight Shannon Briggs)
My memory of Tom Brunette: he was a real grassroots boxing guy, a character.
He loved life and boxing not necessarily in that order. When Shannon Briggs
was a novice pro, I put him on as strict diet of tomato can opponents.
I made a deal for some heavyweight to come from Wisconsin to face Shannon
in St. Paul in a four-rounder on October 29th, 1992. The guy never showed
up and his people said he was locked up in Milwaukee or somewhere.
Shannon still needed a fight so the heavyweight's "trainer"
volunteered to fight. Donnie Penelton was Gerald McClellan's cousin (I
learned years later). But he only weighed about 172 pounds while Shannon
was about 195. We made it work although we had to pretend that the opponent
was weighing in "nude" in some St. Paul saloon so we could cover
him and the scales with a winter coat.
Shannon weighed first at about 195 pounds. Penelton, slim as a reed, gets
on the scales, I held up somebody's heavy winter coat and I think O'Hara
gave him a quick shove off the scales and announced his weight at 192
pounds, an exaggeration of at least 20 pounds.
Penelton's knees were knocking at the opening bell. Shannon ran towards
him, feinted a left hook and right hand combo and Penelton threw himself
to the floor. Commissioner Scott LeDoux told me not to pay Penelton's
purse as the crowd howled and threw paper cups into the ring.
Penelton threatened to whip my butt if I didn't pay. "Now you want
to fight," I said to the then 4-10 jounreyman (now with a sparkling
13 wins, 161 losses and five draws record). "I yelled for Shannon
and Donnie stopped threatening me. I gave him his unearned purse and Briggs
had another KO victory.
In the saloon after the show, we drank beer and laughed about what a nutty
business boxing can be.
I bet Tommy is organizing a club fight show Up There right now.
Kevin Key (Morning Drive Host/Production Director of
WHMH FMSauk Rapids/St. Cloud,MN)
I never knew Tommy personally but was always impressed by what I heard
about him. I remember working on a card in Red Wing the same night Jonny
Montantes died. Almost immediately, I began hearing about how before Jonny
headed for Vegas, Tommy had essentially pleaded with him to retire, even
though Montantes was easily still an area moneymaker. Tommy put his well
being above financial gain. You can't say that about everyone in the fight
business.
Dr. David Chaplin (National Amateur Referee and Judge
and Professor of Business and Economics Waldorf College Forest City, IA)
I just want to send my condolensces to everyone impacted by Tom's sudden
passing. Tom and Bobbie always treated me like a king when I would come
to referee bouts on their Pro-Am shows. I can speak from personal experience
that such royal treatment is a rare commodity in this business. In fact,
on the Wednesday before the show, Tom called to inform me that my room
was provided for, and that I would be shuttled to the venue. I was really
blown away by the concern he showed an amateur official; all I could do
was thank him profusely. Sadly, that was the last time we spoke.
Lastly, I want to give kudos to everyone associated with the show for
the professionalism they showed in the face of tremendous adversity. I
was very impressed with that, and I know Tom would have been proud.
Rest in peace, Tom - you will always be with us.
Jim Erickson Fargo, North Dakota
I will always remember Tommy as a formidable coaching opponent when I
would bring boxers to the UMGG when I lived in Williston, North Dakota.
Tommy was one-of-a-kind, with a unique personality that I liked. He was
someone that you could remember from events several years after they happened.
Over the last several years I have been on the North Dakota Boxing Commission,
and remember enjoying after-fight get togethers that included Tommy. Several
were world title bouts, but I believe the last time Tommy was in ND was
when he brought Jorge Luis Gonzalez to fight Josh Gormley. I think I still
have a picture of Tommy after the bout enjoying a cigar (Cohiba, perhaps),
as he was known to do. I had talked to Tommy occasionally since then,
but can't remember the last time I saw him.
Times like these are hard for family and friends, and although Tommy is
gone from this life, he has left memories that will last forever.
I know Tommy passed away doing something he loved, and I send my deepest
condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.
Elisa Harrison (BraggingRightsCorner.com)
Although I never had the pleasure of personally meeting Tommy Brunette,
I did have several phone conversations with him over the past couple of
years.
Tommy was always upbeat and jovial, respectful and professional in his
dealings with yours truly. He had an profound love for the sport of boxing
and I was always amazed by how dedicated and hard working he was.
I must confess that hearing of Tommy's passing has affected and saddened
me, feelings only experienced when one loses a friend.
My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the Brunette family, and
may Tommy Brunette rest in eternal peace.
Mike Fitzgerald (Writer, Reporter, Judge, Promoter and
so much more! Rural Mutual Insurance Company,Wisconsin)
Tommy, glad we had a chance to be friends and work together. You always
helped me in the boxing game and I'll never forget it! Mike Fitzgerald
Leon Margules(Promoter)
I know Tommy and I had our differences, but in his time of passing I wish
to send my condolences to his family for their loss. I only hope that
Tommy has found peace.
Joe Lynch (professional boxer)
Even though i did not get to truely know you we have had a few conversations
and i would like to say you made me feel welcome and gave me a good vibe
when we talked. As far as i am concerned you were a good guy and did nothing
to disrespect me and i have no reason to disrespect you. When i have talked
with you all i got was smiles from you and that is enough for me to respect
you. it is a shame but maybe the way he should have or maybe have wanted
to go was at a show. Which by the way i enjoyed and seeing a few familiar
faces i would say everyone enjoyed. Sorry for your loss Brunette family
my prayers are with you. God bless.