North Carolina State University Athletics
Jim Brenner: NC State Football’s Longstanding Usher
11/20/2017 2:20:00 PM | Football
Note: Jim Brenner passed away peacefully, yet unexpectedly, in his sleep last week. We want to thank him for his commitment and dedication to Wolfpack athletics, and repost a story we published on him in 2015.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Jim Brenner has never missed a home NC State football game at Carter-Finley Stadium. The longstanding usher has built a unique community with NC State fans, which brings him back season after season.
After moving to Raleigh, Brenner's neighbor recruited him to usher at the new stadium. On Oct. 8, 1966, The Red and White played its first game at Carter-Finley Stadium, and Brenner began the first day of his incredible journey.
At 16 years old, the job was a good way for him to earn money and watch NC State football.
Brenner went on to attend college at NC State, and extend his streak to six years. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta and his six-year streak was likely to end.
However, being an usher meant more to Brenner than making money and watching football. With the overall enjoyment of connecting with the fans and watching every single game in Carter-Finley Stadium, he decided to come back.
"The six years in Raleigh with that record was enough for me to make a serious effort to come back."
During the first few years of his professional career, Brenner drove back to Raleigh from Atlanta each Saturday NC State played a home game.
As his professional career in market research continued, he moved from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., Chicago and Dallas over a period of 25 years.
During the football seasons away from Raleigh, he would always fly back to continue to his streak. Brenner admits it wasn't always easy, but his desire to keep the streak alive and interact with Wolfpack Nation always brought him back.
"It just became ever-increasingly difficult to say this weekend I'd rather do something else. I missed a few weddings, but people understood after a while that the streak is something you don't want to causally give up."
Over the course of his 50-plus years on the job, Brenner has attended all 302 home games, ushering to the fans in section 30 for the majority of his time.
On game days, you can often find Brenner checking tickets, guiding visitors or chatting with familiar faces. Over the course of his tenure, he has made connections with countless fans.
"Quite a number of people at this point for so many years know where I am. Even though I have been offered many different sections to usher in, people know that I'm in section 30. It makes for convenient socializing and visiting to see some of these fans that I have come to know through NC State."
Those connections have kept him coming back to Carter-Finley, even when it's not the most convenient.
Brenner has flown into Raleigh from several cities across the United States. He even cut a trip to Europe short to make it back for a game. Location has never stopped him from coming back for a game.
A few years back, Brenner faced a different challenge after being diagnosed with a significant heart condition. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and was back for the next season.
His dedication to the job has not gone unnoticed by the community. Recently, Brenner was honored by Amedeos for his service.
"We had people from near and far. It was quite a celebration and I enjoyed my time. They certainly honored my work in a grand and most pleasant manor."
Along with the rich history plastered on the walls of the restaurant, you can find Brenner's piece of NC State Athletics' history right at the entrance. A News and Observer article featuring the usher hangs on the wall, and a poem written by Brenner sits under the glass at the counter.
While 50 years and 300-plus games are both impressive marks, Brenner has no intentions of slowing down.
"As long as my health holds up and insofar as that there isn't a catastrophic event, I plan to continue. Sometimes there are 50 to 100 people each game that remember me and come to talk to me. It is the only place I see them. Win lose or draw, it's always a pleasant experience."
RALEIGH, N.C. – Jim Brenner has never missed a home NC State football game at Carter-Finley Stadium. The longstanding usher has built a unique community with NC State fans, which brings him back season after season.
After moving to Raleigh, Brenner's neighbor recruited him to usher at the new stadium. On Oct. 8, 1966, The Red and White played its first game at Carter-Finley Stadium, and Brenner began the first day of his incredible journey.
At 16 years old, the job was a good way for him to earn money and watch NC State football.
Brenner went on to attend college at NC State, and extend his streak to six years. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta and his six-year streak was likely to end.
However, being an usher meant more to Brenner than making money and watching football. With the overall enjoyment of connecting with the fans and watching every single game in Carter-Finley Stadium, he decided to come back.
"The six years in Raleigh with that record was enough for me to make a serious effort to come back."
During the first few years of his professional career, Brenner drove back to Raleigh from Atlanta each Saturday NC State played a home game.
As his professional career in market research continued, he moved from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., Chicago and Dallas over a period of 25 years.
During the football seasons away from Raleigh, he would always fly back to continue to his streak. Brenner admits it wasn't always easy, but his desire to keep the streak alive and interact with Wolfpack Nation always brought him back.
"It just became ever-increasingly difficult to say this weekend I'd rather do something else. I missed a few weddings, but people understood after a while that the streak is something you don't want to causally give up."
Over the course of his 50-plus years on the job, Brenner has attended all 302 home games, ushering to the fans in section 30 for the majority of his time.
On game days, you can often find Brenner checking tickets, guiding visitors or chatting with familiar faces. Over the course of his tenure, he has made connections with countless fans.
"Quite a number of people at this point for so many years know where I am. Even though I have been offered many different sections to usher in, people know that I'm in section 30. It makes for convenient socializing and visiting to see some of these fans that I have come to know through NC State."
Those connections have kept him coming back to Carter-Finley, even when it's not the most convenient.
Brenner has flown into Raleigh from several cities across the United States. He even cut a trip to Europe short to make it back for a game. Location has never stopped him from coming back for a game.
A few years back, Brenner faced a different challenge after being diagnosed with a significant heart condition. Fortunately, he made a full recovery and was back for the next season.
His dedication to the job has not gone unnoticed by the community. Recently, Brenner was honored by Amedeos for his service.
"We had people from near and far. It was quite a celebration and I enjoyed my time. They certainly honored my work in a grand and most pleasant manor."
Along with the rich history plastered on the walls of the restaurant, you can find Brenner's piece of NC State Athletics' history right at the entrance. A News and Observer article featuring the usher hangs on the wall, and a poem written by Brenner sits under the glass at the counter.
While 50 years and 300-plus games are both impressive marks, Brenner has no intentions of slowing down.
"As long as my health holds up and insofar as that there isn't a catastrophic event, I plan to continue. Sometimes there are 50 to 100 people each game that remember me and come to talk to me. It is the only place I see them. Win lose or draw, it's always a pleasant experience."
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