Background
Dr. Joe Brickner grew up in Ohio but attended college in Kansas where he was a basketball student-athlete and a member of the 1967 NAIA National Championship team. He has always loved the game of basketball, but to put bread on the table, he pursued a successful business career with Southwestern Bell (now AT&T). Nearly 30 years into that career, he got an opportunity to pursue his dream and become a men’s head college basketball coach. His first book, “So, You Want to Be a Coach…” is his story, told with the endearing anecdotes that life presents – some will make you laugh, and some will make you cry.
Dr. Brickner’s second book, “America: Lost in Place” is a reflection of his 70+ years on the planet. Dr. B analyzes 17 topics and compares how things were in the 1950’s and 60’s to today. He then summarizes his findings and proposes recommendations for allowing America, and Americans, to experience the life that the forefathers envisioned for us.
Current Happenings
Dr. Brickner not only coached but also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He is now retired living with his beloved bride of over 40 years, Connie. He has two sons, who each have three children of their own. He still works out every day aerobically and lifts weights, and competes in age-division basketball tournaments. He hosted his own sports related podcast for a couple of years (“Building with Brick”) but has suspended it in order to co-host podcasts for the Corp of Renewal and Charity (CORAC) with CORAC founder Charlie Johnston. He is a beekeeper and recently earned his black belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate. Retired??? Not so much!
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/drjoebrickner
Honors
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2001 |
Lima Central Catholic High School Hall of Fame Athletic Achievement |
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2016 |
St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame Award of Champions 1976 Natioanal Amateur Basketball Association (NABA) National Champions: St. Louis Kutis Amateur Basketball Team |
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2017 |
Benedictine College Athletic Hall of Fame 1967 St. Benedict’s National Championship Team |
Activities
Dr. Brickner believes that physical activity keeps you mentally and physically healthy. He tries to work out 6 days a week, including martial arts, weight lifting, aerobic exercise, and, of course, playing basketball. Below are some examples of his regimen.
Mixed Martial Arts Punching Training
In mid-May 2021 I began taking mixed martial arts (MMA) classes. A friend invited me to join the class, but I wasn’t sure it was something I would want to do on a regular basis. I was wrong – I really enjoy the 3-times a week class. The best thing about it, other than learning a new skill that will also increase my physical fitness, is the confidence I gain learning various self-defense techniques. The video to the left shows a punching drill that we do a number of times each class.
MMA Block, Kick and Punch Exercise
Part of the MMA training is to learn how to not only punch, but also to block punches & kicks, and how to use kicks yourself. At the left is a slow, deliberate block, kick and punch exercise that we learned as beginners. I marvel at the speed that the pros do these things simply by reading and reacting to their opponent.
Pandemic Relief
During the early months of the Pandemic all the gyms in KC were closed. On the brink of going off the deep end, I was rescued by a friend who allowed me to shoot in a gym built in the 1920’s. I called it Hoosiers II. Here’s a short video of an old man who was as giddy as a pre-teen when allowed to shoot again after being shut down for months!
Birthday Push-up Challenge: Started at Age 68
I was always a little envious of my two sons, who used to have a bet as to who could still dunk on their oldest birthday. The dunk was banned when I played college ball, so no one gave dunking much thought back then. Instead, we worked on our “spin move” and pull-up jumper. By the time my boys were wagering birthday bets I could barely touch the rim (net?) – so I had to devise another birthday measurement to replace the dunk. I came up with having to complete as many birthday push-ups as my age. I began the tradition (torture) when I turned 68. Happily, I’d kept the string going an additional 7 years. A shoulder issue kept me from achieving it at 76, but I am holding out hope that I’ll get back on track now that I am 77! Stay tuned.
Black Belt Master Form Exam: Nov. 24, 2025
After four years of training, I earned a black belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate/American Jiu-Jitsu. Included in passing the exam is the Black Belt Master Form, which entails performing all the techniques from the Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Brown, and Black Belts. (55 total techniques) The video above demonstrates the Black Belt Master Form.
Black Belt Form - 15 techniques
The actual Black Belt Form consists of 15 separate techniques. For the exam, these are consecutively performed at normal speed. The above video is a demonstration of the Black Belt Form.
Graduation Day!!
Black Belt Certificates for Chinese Kenpo Karate/American Jiu-Jitsu were awarded by instructors second-degree black belt John Licavoli (white shirt) and eighth-degree black belt Steve Crawford (red hoodie) to Harry Hall (blue shirt) and myself.
2022 was a good year for the Brothers Basketball Club
Tampa Bay Masters 70+
3 on 3 Champs
Clearwater FL, January 2022
L to R: James Newsome, Tim DiPiero, Joe Brickner, Terry Schaplow, Bill DiPiero, Archie Puritz
Masters Basketball Assn 70+
5 on 5 Champs
Coral Springs FL, May 2022
L to R: Terry Schaplow, Dave Rothery, Joe Brickner, Bill DiPiero, Tim DiPiero, Greg Imperi, Bill O’Connor, James Payne, Lou Williams
Huntsman’s Games 70+
3 on 3 Champs
St. George UT, October 2022
L to R: Joe Brickner, Bill DiPiero, Greg Imperi, Terry Schaplow, Tim DiPiero, James Payne
Masters Basketball Assn 70+
5 on 5 Defending Champs
Coral Springs FL, May 2023
Standing L to R: Garrett Thomas, Greg Imperi, Tim DiPiero, Herm Harris, Bill DiPiero, Chuck Smrt, Allen Joy.
Not Standing L to R: Terry Schaplow, Joe Brickner, Archie Puritz
