SIGN IN, PLEASE: CENTRAL'S BRUNE SET TO INK WITH SE MISSOURI

If Southeast Missouri State University football runs in anyone's blood, it runs in Bobby Brune's.

Brune will follow his grandfather, father, an uncle and two brothers to Southeast when he signs a letter of intent this morning to play football for the Indians. Today marks the first day that high school seniors can sign national letters of intent.

Brune, 6-feet-4 and 205 pounds, was the starting quarterback for Cape Girardeau Central High the past two seasons. He passed for over 1,000 yards in each of the those years, including 1,170 yards his senior year.

Brune, who is currently a backup center on Central High's 16-3 basketball team, also received interest from Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri and Arkansas State. He made an unofficial visit to SIU, but after visiting Southeast last weekend and receiving a scholarship offer he said he made the decision.

Besides family history, academics was also a consideration for Brune.

"SEMO was always my first choice. I decided (to sign with Southeast) after I made a visit this weekend," said Brune, who was a ball boy for Southeast when he was younger. "I plan on studying business and they just got that new business complex last year."

As part of the school's attempt to bolster its business program, Southeast built the multi-million dollar Dempster Hall and recently added an M.B.A. program.

Brune's father, Greg Brune, who is the second generation of what will now be three generations of Brune quarterbacks at Southeast, is director of athletic development at Southeast.

"My grandfather (Charlie) played quarterback, then my dad played quarterback there, then my uncle (Lance) played quarterback and then both of my older brothers (Brent and Brian) played there. One played center and the other played outside linebacker," said Brune.

Brune said that he improved his strength and speed between his junior and senior seasons at Central, but will have to get stronger to make an early impact at Southeast. He said that Southeast coaches have told him he may sit out next season.

"They told me they might red-shirt me depending on how strong I get," Brune said, who will be joined by Central High teammate Marcus Lowe, a receiver, as Southeast signees today.

Next season Southeast senior Justin Martini will enter drills as the likely starting quarterback. Behind Martini are freshmen David Edgerton and John Bahr, who both red-shirted this season.

Brune said that Southeast coaches told him that after next season he should be in the mix for playing time.

"Coach (John) Mumford said I could be battling for the No. 2 or No. 1 spot by the next year," Brune said.