Every Fourth of July the nation gathers to celebrate the birth of a true American legend, Gary "Big Dog" Breneman. Even bigger this year, the July 4 holiday also begins a yearlong celebration of Big Dog's 50th year with Madison College Athletics, and in his honor, the WolfPack are announcing numerous ways to celebrate throughout the upcoming 2024-25 school year. The kickoff event will be the return of Big Dog's Annual Alumni Golf & Bags Classic for a second year on August 12, when the department will reveal additional information and plans for events surrounding Big Dog's 50th year during each of the three sports seasons (fall, winter, spring).

First, the backstory...
Gary arrived on campus in the fall of 1975 after graduating from Pardeeville High School and immediately began working as a student manager for the school's basketball and baseball teams. Upon graduating from the Food Service program in 1976, he began working in the school's cafeteria until 2020, when he made a move to the school's bookstore. In the meantime, he continued to work with the teams, coaches, staff, and student-athletes in the athletics department, earning the moniker "Big Dog" along the way. In 1991, Big Dog was inducted into the Madison College Athletics Hall of Fame, and was presented the Doug Redsten Memorial Service Award at the 2010 athletics banquet for his loyalty, support, dedication, and service. He has since been honored by the Madison Dugout Club, the Madison Mallards, and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

Now, here's what's ahead...
Big Dog's Annual Alumni Golf & Bags Classic shifts to Pioneer Pointe Golf Club in Verona, Wisconsin, to offer participants a unique 13-hole challenge on a remarkable executive course and a tremendous backdrop for a bags (aka...cornhole) competition to determine the event champions. Registration is open and for a limited time, participants can use the discount code BIGDOG50 to save $50 on a foursome. The promotion will run for ten days and end at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.
During Big Dog's Alumni Classic, the Madison College Athletics Department will announce details of several additional events to celebrate and commemorate Big Dog and his milestone achievement. There will be an event planned in coordination with the women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, and baseball schedules to allow fans and supporters of Big Dog to participate. Each of the events will also highlight a facility update in connection with Big Dog.

Additional ways to celebrate...
Madison College Athletics is excited to announce two more opportunities for people who know and love Big Dog to celebrate and honor him. WolfPack nation can submit a congratulatory message via video/audio (preferred method...max 60 seconds) or written word (max 100 words) that will be shown to Big Dog, as well as comprising a series of celebratory videos on YouTube and social media.

Following a successful first year of transitioning every WolfPack team to the NJCAA Division II level, Madison College Athletics is continuing to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships and is excited to announce a new $50 for 50 Years Scholarship Drive in 2024-25. Alumni and supporters are encouraged to contribute $50 to the general scholarship fund in recognition of Big Dog's 50th year, and will receive a complimentary Big Dog t-shirt in return. In addition, for every $50 a person contributes, their name will be entered into a drawing on June 30, 2025, for a FREE foursome to next year's Big Dog's Annual Alumni Golf & Bags Classic in August 2025.
Madison College Athletics greatly looks forward to this special celebration of Gary "Big Dog" Breneman throughout the 2024-25 school year, and hope all who have been impacted by him will join in the events and the moments.

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