"We're happy for him. A 2006 graduate of Division III Lawrence University in Wisconsin, Bradley played for Hillsdale College head coach John Tharp during the coach's tenure with the Vikings prior to coming to Hillsdale in 2007-08. To qualify for the Hall of Fame a coach must have coached Varsity/College Head Basketball for 20 years or more and/or accumulated 300 or more victories. Bradley associate director of athletic communications Jim Rea recently left as well, for a job outside sports. Provided. He died in 2019. Transition defense was huge to make up for our turnovers, because 15-15 with the points off turnovers when you have 16 (turnovers) we haven't had that many in a long time. I had to call time out. We've pushed them and challenged them, and they've challenged back and brought intensity back and it's just it's a family in that locker room, and it's a connected group and usually that's what it takes to win championships, honestly. While building for success on the floor, Wardle has also made academic success and community involvement pillars of the Bradley program. Whitnall vs South Milwaukee Game Highlights - Jan. 31, 2023. In his tenure, Bradley has won back-to-back arch madness tournament championships in 2019 and 2020, as well as leading Bradley to their first regular season championship since the 96-97 season, while being the favorites to win 2023's Arch Mandess tournament. ATLANTA (AP) The Washington Wizards spoiled Quin Snyder's Atlanta coaching debut, getting 37 points from Bradley Beal and 28 from Kyle Kuzma in a 119-116 victory over the Hawks on Tuesday . Wardle was asked to keep wearing a red pair of shoes his wife had bought him. Darius (Hannah) has been huge for us all year. This is the first conference tournament championship for Bradley since 1988, and the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for Bradley since 2006. Named the schools 14th head coach in March 2015, Wardle was first tasked with turning around a Bradley program that had not posted a winning conference record in the previous six seasons with the Braves finishing last in the Valley the year before his arrival. To replace Noonan, Georgetown hired Bradley Adams as both head football coach and athletic director on Jan. 17. PEORIA Former Bradley athletic director and Thornridge basketball coach Ron Ferguson died July 8 at a Peoria senior care facility at age 89. Promotions and Red Sea Email Sign Up 50/50 Raffle PNC Bank Achiever of the Game Molly Maid Game Day Crew Voice of the Braves Coaches Show Yearbook Bradley All-Access Live Events . Two years later, he guided the Braves to wins over Oklahoma and Purdue to win the NIT. I thought Ja'Shon (Henry's) defense on (Roman) Penn and Malevy (Leons') defense on (Tucker) DeVries. Session I - First Round 7 vs 10, 6 vs 11. We couldn't let them get 3s. ', "It was a lot of fun to get on the train and go downtown with him, go to work with him and all the older guys messing with you all day and learn how to do blue-collar work. "Brian was very, very competitive as a little kid," said Jim Wardle, 66. Bradley Braves Men's Basketball Coaches. Goal's to get back to that NCAA Tournament and hopefully put ourselves in a position to win some games it's one day at a time, one game at a time. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Bradley basketball has a MVC's top coach and defensive player, Here are 3 reasons to be even more excited after Bradley's historic basketball victory, Bradley beats Drake to win the MVC men's basketball championship, Bradley basketball has a MVC's top coach and defensive player. But Wardle has carried his name and life lessons with him. Conference tournament champion. That 15-0 stretch there that you went on really put the game into your grip. ", 'I love this fricken team! Conference regular season and conference tournament champion "It was in me from a very young age, a competitive thing I got from my parents," Wardle said." Smith after . We've gotten to the NCAA Tournament. Wardle was in second grade when he made that as part of a homework assignment when students were asked to write down three words to describe themselves. Check out this great listen on Audible.com. 'Part of history':Catching up with Bradley's last Missouri Valley basketball champion. Following the 2013-14 season, Wardle added Skip Prosser Man of the Year honors to his collection, recognizing the head coach for not only success on the basketball court but also for displaying moral integrity off it as well. He was previously the Wisconsin-Green Bay basketball coach. They are turning heads in H-TOWN. 1 seed and outright regular-season champion for the first time since 1996. Tony Bennett, Dean and Markel Families Men's Basketball Head Coach, said he was "blessed beyond what I deserve," declined a raise and made a gift to a career development program for his players. But all we can do is win games.". "But I thought transition D was a huge key for us, getting back matching up. Dick Versace, one of the most successful men's basketball coaches at Bradley University, died Friday at the age of 81. PEORIA The Bradley Braves filled their vacant assistant coach position with former Illinois State associate head coach Brian Jones on Wednesday afternoon. Very similar to my father in a lot of ways. The following is a list of Bradley Braves men's basketball head coaches. Our goal was to hold them to six 3s or less, and they had five. Phone: (614) 921-7430 | Fax: (614) 921-7431. Because he saw it that way while putting away the typesetter blocks. I'm a fast player now. "But what really gets me going? I don't know if they factor in health I wish they would. Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. "These reflect on the team, on all of us. And for all the newbies that came today, bandwagoners: I love you, too. Bill didn't have any sons, so we gave his name to Brian as a middle name, to carry it on.". Bradley University Men's Basketball Coach Brian Wardle about the team's Missouri Valley Conference title victory against Drake yesterday at Carver Arena. "Then we'd go to Prospect Park, I was always the youngest kid at the court in seventh, eighth grade. My favorite was Al's Beef downtown.". Underwood has made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with a seventh precluded by . I'm practice swinging, taking too long to hit my ball, and my grandfather was a very blunt guy, very direct guy. I tried to soak up the whole day, honestly, and the players. "Being there, helping out and watching them, I think that's maybe why I am the way I am. I had to pick up my ball and just keep up, keep up. Jeanette Bradley: Athletics Business Manager Amanda Brooks: Athletics Accountant Taylor Patterson: Business Office Graduate Assistant . Oh, and it definitely helped my golf game. It's an obsession of mine. 02 Mar, 2023. 2022-23 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff. Then the guys would come in at 10:30, and we do our film and walkthrough. Overall, Bradley has featured 10 all-conference performers during the last five seasons leading the league with three selections during the 2019-20 campaign. Wardle said Jones will be Bradley's defensive coordinator, but will certainly scout and also offer input on the Braves' offense. They hadlittle asphalt stone court with two wooded backboards like a mini full court off their garage. Congratulations Coach Wardle, and the entire staff. Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and . The Braves have had four previous MVC Defensive Player of the Year winners, the most recent in 2013 when Dyricus Simms-Edwards won it. Wardle later apologized and the reporter's access to the team was restored. High Point University has fired men's basketball coach G.G. I've sat in that banquet and seen a lot of great coaches get it. It can't all be inside. After taking on NCAA Tournament teams Marquette, Wisconsin and Virginia during the 2011-12 season, Green Bay knocked off Big East champion Marquette during the 2012-13 campaign and eventual ACC champion Virginia during the 2013-14 season to go along with the 2014 victory at Miami. All rights reserved. G 6-0 Greeneville, Tenn. (Greeneville High), Chance Moore, Missouri St. There are now over 150 coaches in the BCAM Hall of Fame. Bradley is the No. You might not play for another 30 minutes.". Bradley University has extended the contract of men's basketball coach Brian Wardle through the end of the 2022-2023 season, according to an announcement by Bradley Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds. "I believe in this team, and I like this team against anybody. Bradley is the No. Lafayette County 49. Bradley has also led all schools during Wardles tenure with seven All-Freshman Team honorees and with four forwards named to the leagues Most Improved Team. "My dad is very particular, a perfectionist, in the sign business, and so was my grandfather," Wardle said. 2023 Hoops in the Heartland Reservations Form. Wardle led the Braves to a 23-8 overall record and a 16-4 mark in . Bradley and Loyola have each won two of the last four MVC Tournament titles. We'd go out to lunch, my dad would take me to get Italian beef. Prior to Bradley's NCAA Tournament game against Michigan State, Wardle was involved in a controversy that gained national attention. G/F 6-6 Eldridge, Iowa (North Scott High), Darnell Brodie, Drake Sr. F 6-10 Newark, N.J. (Newark East Side)/Seton Hall, Zek Montgomery, Bradley So. I've always said there are two types of coaches, those who are humbled and those who are about to be.". Conference regular season champion It's a long season. Was there any fight to get back because of the COVID year, where you guys made the tournament? Patterson), Bradley coach Brian Wardle talks to his team as they play against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in North Little Rock, Ark. Born in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, Wardle played for Marquette from 19972001, ending his career as the third-leading scorer in school history. Gus Bradley also is back And winning wasn't like this gratifying feeling at all. . I would play as hard as I possibly could so we wouldn't lose. "They are taking on more responsibility with this new role," Wardle said. "I grew up in Las Vegas, a musical family, my parents all my siblings," Jimsaid. Wilkins in transition right away. He narrowly missed becoming the first player in Valley history to reach 50-50. "I don't know how they'll do with a basketball when they reach 66.". Bradley announced Versace's death in a news release Saturday morning, hours before the Braves finished the regular season with a 79-55 win over Valparaiso at Carver Arena. [2], He was director of basketball operations at Marquette from 20032005 and an assistant coach at UW-Green Bay from 20052010. "There was Westmont Park, Prospect Park, others. I leave that up to the experts to tell me where we're at. It pushed me to figure things out, keep up with everyone or be in the lead. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com, Bradley coach Brian Wardle slows his team as they play against Southern Illinois in the second half of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Enterprise Center on Friday, March 6, 2020. If you want to get me going, just say that. 309-677-2668. He played basketball at the YMCA, where the young players wore color-coded wristbands so they knew who to guard on the other team. Guard Duke Deen was named to the MVC All-Newcomer team. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Phone Email Address Twitter; Brian Wardle: Head Coach 309-677-2668 309-677-2668 Location: Peoria, Illinois Seasons: 119 (1902-03 to 2022-23) Record: 1743-1251 .582 W-L% Conferences: MVC and Ind. "Drew is an excellent recruiter, and he deserved a chance to go to Cincinnati," Wardle said. 1 seed. "I don't care what anyone says: That's the identity of our program. Bravescoach Brian Wardle wanted them, and knew just who to get them from: His father, Jim Wardle. Jan 11, 2023 @ 1:20pm. As expected, he was named MVC Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday night. Jones was Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2017, and during his tenure coached four Lou Henson Mid-Major All-Americans, for all-district players and 12 all-conference honorees. "I remember so many little things with him like that. "We've known Brian Jones for a while," Wardle said. The last decade, it's hard to get fans to arenas in all sports. Wardle led the Braves to a 23-8 overall record and a 16-4 mark in the Valley, the latter tied for the most conference wins in program history. "Brian never really played music," said Jim Wardle, laughing. Wardle is married to the former Lecia Schuetz, a soccer student-athlete during her collegiate career at Marquette. You better pull your own weight and keep up. Biography. With my bad hip, I definitely don't sleep well, I'm tossing it turning and up a lot. Brian Wardle (born October 9, 1979) is an American college basketball coach and the current men's basketball coach at Bradley University. Yes, we did. He was always in the driveway. "I would wait 45 minutes, an hour, to get an opportunity. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. It was the first OCC title in program history and first league title in . Moline recorded a big victory over Bradley-Bourbonnais 71-39 on Feb. 24 in Illinois boys high school basketball. Bradley University 2023 All Rights Reserved 1501 W. Bradley Avenue Peoria, IL 61625. Jones was associate head coach at ISU the last three seasons, where he specialized as offensive coordinator and helped the Redbirds to top 3 spots in scoring offense in the Valley the last two years. No Braves player had won it outright. Because it is a numbers game.". For all the fans that have been coming all year: We love you. Men's Basketball Head Coach. "Everyone in the family worked in it. Whoever we face. Then they started to have kids, and it was time to settle down. Having reestablished Bradley mens basketball as a championship-level program, Brian Wardle is in his eighth year as head coach of the Braves. Getting ready for who we might play. Bradley University Head Mens Basketball Coach Brian Wardle has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. Very handsy team, and we knew that. But I think getting Reink (Mast) back (from injury) and (Ja'Shon Henry). Execution's huge. After college, Wardle played in the NBA Developmental League and the Continental Basketball Association. "My dad gets things done fast, great quality and price, so we had to use him. Now, we'd like to get back and win some games. Then definitely after COVID, so to see everyone come out this month of February when we've been in first place and definitely show up today. I'm a very competitive person. The Braves saw senior Ja'Shon Henry named to the All-Bench Team on Tuesday and designated captain. "We were in the NCAA field in 2020, no doubt, we were with that championship. His Braves put together the nation's third-longest active home win streak at 17 games, and head into Arch Madness on a 10-game overall win streak and with the No. [1] Bradley's current head coach is Brian Wardle. We'd go up to Wisconsin and he'd get up in the morning and swim the length of Kangaroo Lake, where we stayed, all the way to the other side and back. Lede AI Sports Desk. "We wanted it to carry on," Wardle said. Final. Our community supports us so well. Mostly tried to stay in Las Vegas and Reno, went up through Canada. "You're right. Bradley University head men's basketball coach Brian Wardle has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year during the MVC Awards Banquet on Wednesday, March 1, in downtown St. Louis. Box Score. When you have that as a coach, you know, you have a chance and I just believe that we were going to win this thing and win three in a row to end it and they did, too. I know it means a lot to the city, to the university, to the community. It's well-coached, preparation's tremendous, everyone guards you. Wardle is the first Bradley coach win league honors since Jim Molinari in 1996. [1], Bradley's current head coach is Brian Wardle. It also marked the first time since 1954 and 1955 that the Braves qualified for the NCAA Tournament in consecutive campaigns, while the teams 23 wins were its most since 1993-94. "He picked up the guitar a little bit. But they still go in there and they kind of rake that ball out with their hands, and they do a good job of that. Bradley 52. I listen to old-school hip-hop, kind of from my basketball roots, and my wife likes country so I listen to that, too. And out of that timeout, I believe we went on a little bit of a run. And I think this group has done that.". As for recruiting overseas, Drew's connections and relationships are my connections and relationships too. Underwood is the 18th head coach in Illinois history, hired in March 2017 as the Richmond Family Endowed Men's Head Basketball Coach. What's your take on that? The first game Friday (at the MVC tournament) is always the hardest. Coach Wardle reflects on the milestone and history-making game including his thoughts on. G 5-11 Norwalk, Iowa (Norwalk High), Jace Carter, UIC So. I'm very grateful, humbled. "I remember the little details of things with him," the BU coach said. On 1/4, the Bradley varsity basketball team won their home conference game against Lafayette County (Stamps, AR) by a score of 52-49. I mean there are a lot of factors to win this time of year, and depth is always big. 214-768-2886. Leons piled up 50 steals and 49 blocks to become just the fourth player in MVC history to record a 40-40 effort in those categories. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik), Bradley head coach Brian Wardle watches his players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht), Bradley head coach Brian Wardle is seen on the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Drake in the semifinal round of the Missouri Valley Conference men's tournament Saturday, March 7, 2020, in St. Louis. 02 Mar 2023 01:46:19 The Braves defeated Northern Iowa 57-54. The success showcased by Wardle at Bradley is nothing new for the head coach. Keep coming out. "They've earned that title change. They've worked really hard. I don't know the numbers well enough. "It was awesome. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. G 6-6 Louisville, Ky. (St. Louis Christian Academy), *denotes team "captain" as designated by the league's beat writers and media panel. Sr. G 6-6 Chesterfield, Va. (Lloyd C. Bird)/Lincoln Memorial, Lance Jones, S. Illinois Sr. G 6-1 Evanston, Ill. (Evanston Township), Rob Perry, Murray State Jr. G 6-4 Orlando, Fla. (Oak Ridge High)/Stetson. "I put the lettering away from the typesetting, took the trash out, mopped the floors," said Brian Wardle, 41. In his first seven seasons on the BU sideline, Wardle has built Bradley into a perennial Missouri Valley Conference contender, capped by winning . (Henry's) dunk, and Hickman's dunk just kind of sealing the game and getting the crowd nuts in the last two minutes. You know what Arch Madness is. Tasked with coaching Iowa's frontcourt players, the Hawkeyes led the Big Ten in rebounding in four of Jones' final five years, and produced the league's leading shot blocker in three straight seasons. Indeed, the coach has it framed. We depend on your support to keep telling stories like this one. By his sophomore year he was 6-foot-3, and he kept growing through high school until he reached 6-5. Bradley has continued to thrive under Wardles leadership since the championship runs. Bradley Women's Basketball (3-10) heads on the road to face Southern Illinois (5-6) and Missouri State (7-4). The forecast says it'll be During the first media timeout of this Sunday's Red Out game, over 750 T-Shirts will rain down inside Carver Arena in the - in Bradley history! G/F 6-7 Waukee, Iowa (Waukee High), Duke Deen, Bradley Jr. G 5-8 Shreveport, La. It just looked like we were breathing a little heavy. Barone grew up on Bradley basketball as his father, the late Tony Barone Sr., was an assistant coach with the Braves from 1978-85. "I was not very good in basketball for a while, I got cut from teams in fifth grade and sixth grade," Wardle said. He is the only player in Horizon League history to accumulate 2,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds (467) and would eventually play for the Indiana Pacers during his professional career. "And we got a group of guys that are connected that are completely unselfish that will sacrifice for the other guy and the left and right of them. The Ramblers (22-7, 13-5) slipped from first to fourth after dropping their final game to Northern Iowa. Jim played bass guitar. That was one of the hardest things to go through as a coach, when that happened to that group, but we'll see. His death was . I love 90's R&B. Feb 1, 2023 @ 7:07pm. I have the best staff, just love 'em and our players. And then your defensive rebounding has to win you games this time of year, and I thought we were able to do that. Brian Wardle (born October 9, 1979) is an American college basketball coach and the current men's basketball coach at Bradley University. 03-01-2023 . Bradley announced Versaces death in a news release Saturday morning, hours before the Braves finished the regular season with a 79-55 win over Valparaiso at Carver Arena. Why Bradley's projected starting lineup might surprise you, plus MVC's great expectations, Path is set: Bradley men's basketball gets schedule, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. But yes, we want to get back. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. "We won some games, I know in the nonconference. The Valley teams assembled at an awards banquet on Wednesday evening at which the league announced the winner of the Coach of the Year, Larry Bird Trophy for Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and the first, second and third All-Missouri Valley Conference teams. F 6-6 Saskatoon (Athol Murray College of Notre Dame), Sardaar Calhoun, Drake Sr. G/F 6-6 Tappahannock, Va. (Blue Ridge)/Texas Tech/, Ja'Kobi Gillespie, Belmont Fr. Crouch played professional basketball in Germany's top division for one season, and he was the director of basketball operations at Bradley for two years under ex . We're all driven to bring a championship to Peoria, and we were able to get that regular-season (one) here now. "I'd want to go practice and play that person again. Adams previously has held both positions at Georgetown High School. The Braves have had 14 coaches in their 118-season history. Wardle believes deeply in his family, the one on the basketball court at Bradley, the one that raised him, and the one he's raising now. And his dad would play in a band at it. Bradley opened the 2018-19 season by defeating Penn State in the Cancun Challenge Championship as the Braves claimed their first regular-season tournament trophy since 1983.
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