The Lewis Athletics department mourns the passing of former standout cross country coach Thomas Brunick who passed away at home peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and friends, on Thursday, March 19.
Born in Illinois, Brunick went to Lewis University in Romeoville on a track scholarship after competing at Marquette High School.After lettering in both cross country and track his freshman year a knee injury sidelined Brunick from further competition.
Upon graduation Brunick was named Director of Public Relations & Marathon Running Coach at the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois. In 1976 he was named Cross Country and Marathon Coach at Lewis University. He was named NAIA District 20 Coach of the Year in 1975 and 1977 and his 1977 and 1978 Lewis teams competed in the NAIA National Championship. He was awarded the Chicago Area Runners Association Award for Service to Running in 1982. Later in 1991, Tom was ushered into the Lewis Athletics Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors any member of the athletic department at Lewis can recieve.
He was the originator of the first collegiate Marathon Running Team in the United States and was so honored in the Congressional Record by U.S. Senator Charles Percy of Illinois.
The visionary runner and coach set up a formal consumer-based athletic footwear weartest center for The Athlete's Foot Stores. He consulted with the Chicago Bulls, Seattle Sonics, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and the Indiana Pacers. He was a regular guest lecturer the US at Podiatry Schools and Conferences. Tom frequently was also a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney and spent considerable time in Australia appearing on the Today Show Australia. He was also seen on Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC and more. Tom additionally was the Footwear Editor of Runner World Magazine for 11 years and Walking Magazine. He was a Technical Advisor for Volleyball Magazine, Golf Digest, Shape Magazine, Men's Fitness, Metro Sports Magazine, and Windy City Sports. Tom was also the subject of feature articles about running and coaching in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and many national magazines.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Debbie; his children, Brian Brunick and Megan Brunick; and his siblings, Barbara and Michael along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2003 Hassert Blvd., Naperville, Illinois. Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Deborah Brunick who would like to find ways to donate financial assistance, Tom's medical equipment and supplies to those less fortunate.
