MADISON COUNTY — Craig Brunnemer was described as a quiet man, but his effect on those around him was loud and clear.

“It’s unbelievable that this happened to such a great person, a great human being. I (was) shocked,” said Kevin Bates, who played basketball with Brunnemer at Anderson University and coached with his former classmate at Pendleton Heights.

Brunnemer, 47, died suddenly on the evening of Monday, Nov. 9. He was the head girls basketball coach at his alma mater, Elwood High School. He died sometime after leading the team’s practice that day.

“He was a person of few words, but when he talked he was funny, meaningful,” Bates continued. “He was great at whatever he did. He was a great basketball player. He was a great golfer. He was a great coach. He was a great teacher, great friend, great husband and great father. Whatever he did he was great at, and he was confident and loyal.”

Brunnemer starred at Elwood High School as a basketball player before continuing his hoops career at AU, where he was among the school’s 1,000-point scorers.

He was also the golf pro at Pebblebrook Golf Course and had previously been the head girls golf coach at Pendleton Heights, winning a sectional during his time with the Arabians.

“Pretty tough news,” said Pendleton Heights athletic director Chad Smith, who was on a basketball coaching staff with Brunnemer at PH. “It was completely unexpected.”

Smith said he always talked with Brunnemer at the Pendleton Heights girls basketball games. One of Brunnemer’s daughters, Hailee, is currently a member of the girls basketball team. Twin daughters Madison and Payton have been part of the Arabians’cross country team, along with Hailee.

“We count our athletes as part of a family. When you have some athletes in our family that are hurting, we just put our arms around them and help anyway you can,” Smith said.

Brunnemer is survived by his wife, Keri, and daughters.

Brunnemer was in his third season as head coach at Elwood.