Gary “Big Dog” Breneman is in his 52nd season as the Madison College baseball and basketball manager. “Big Dog” was inducted into the
Madison College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991. During the 2024-25 athletic year, Madison College Athletics celebrated his 50th year with the department with the
Year of the Big Dog. The celebration included the naming of
Big Dog Concessions outside Redsten Gym, the announcement of two annual
Big Dog Scholarships, and the installation of a one-of-its-kind
Big Dog's Aces & Deuces scoreboard at Robin Roberts Field. Gary was also featured in a behind-the-scenes video entitled
"BIG DOG: In His Words".
Gary was born in Dalton, WI on July 4, 1956. He graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1975. After high school, he attended Madison Area Technical College, graduating from the Food Service program in 1976. Gary is an avid Madison College sports fan and faithful friend to all WolfPack student-athletes and coaches.
Beyond the hall of fame, Gary's loyalty, support, dedication, and service to Madison College athletics was also recognized in 2010 when he has given the Doug Redsten Memorial Service Award at the annual sports banquet.
Local ABC affililiate WKOW-TV did a feature story about the "
Leader of the Pack."
In February 2016, Gary was given the
Favorite Son Award by the Madison Dugout Club for his work with Madison College baseball, as well as the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League. The following summer, the Mallards honored Big Dog by inducting him into the Mallards Wall of Fame and celebrated with his own
bobblehead night.
Gary was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2017. The WBCA recognized him as a Friend of Basketball.
For many years, Gary served as the PA announcer of the Madison College men's and women's alumni basketball games prior to the annual Jam the Gym event.
In addition to serving as team manager, “Big Dog” worked in the Madison College cafeteria in Food Service until 2020 when he transitioned to a new role in the Madison College Bookstore, where he still works to this day.
