DUANE BRYNER
"DUKE"
DUKE BRYNER CAME TO NEW HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL AS A TEACHER IN 1967 AFTER GRADUATING FROM SPRING ARBOR COLLEGE (b.a. 1967). HE EARNED HIS GRADUATE DEGREE FROM EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY IN 1971. HIS WIFE KAREN IS ALSO A TEACHER AT NEW HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL AND THEY HAVE ONE SON, CHARLIE.
DUKE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY ACTIVITIES AT NEW HAVEN, BUT HE MADE HIS MARK IN BUILDING THE NEW HAVEN ROCKETS INTO ONE ONE OF THE GREATEST TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAMS IN THE HISTORY OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. HE WAS THE HEAD TRACK COACH FROM 1968 TO 1979. DURING THAT SPAN, NEW HAVEN WON TEN CONSECUTIVE SOUTHERN THUMB ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SEVEN MHSAA REGIONAL TITLES. NEW HAVEN FINISHED STATE RUNNER-UP IN 1970, 1971, 1974, AND 1976. NEW HAVEN ALSO FINISHED THIRD PLACE THREE TIMES IN 1972, 1975, AND 1986. DUKE WAS VOTED PORT HURON TIME HERALD COACH OF THE YEAR IN 1974 AND MACOMB COUNTY COACH OF THE YEAR IN 1976.
DUKE ALSO COACHED BASKETBALL, CROSS COUNTRY, AND FOOTBALL. HE HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE REGISTERED OFFICIAL WITH THE MHSAA. DUKE WILL NOT ONLY BE REMEMBERED FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS HE MADE TO THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM, BUT AS A TEACHER WHO MADE SURE STUDENTS HAS A PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE WHILE ATTENDING NEW HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL. HE HAS ORGANIZED ANNUAL TRIPS TO CHICAGO, WASHINGTON D.C., BOSTON AND NEW YORK. DUKE ALSO HELPED IN IMPLEMENTING THE ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE REWARD DAY FOR STUDENTS AND IS ACTIVE IN ORGANIZING HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES.