Dick Versace recruited . 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. Versace leaves behind two adult children. Was there any fight to get back because of the COVID year, where you guys made the tournament? He was always in the driveway. She has worked primarily with the post players, guiding Alicia Froling to 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, the first player . On 1/4, the Bradley varsity basketball team won their home conference game against Lafayette County (Stamps, AR) by a score of 52-49. Bradley's Brian Wardle Named 2023 MVC Men's Basketball Coach of the Jim played bass guitar. . The first game Friday (at the MVC tournament) is always the hardest. And you can find us executing better and better as the year went on, just because we were able to stay healthy and get our rotations down consistently. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. "But he was a no-nonsense guy, competitive, worked really hard. The following is a list of Bradley Braves men's basketball head coaches. Bradley Braves men's basketball head coaches, "Bradley names Brian Wardle as men's basketball coach", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Bradley_Braves_men%27s_basketball_head_coaches&oldid=1141712736, Lists of college men's basketball head coaches in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 12:04. 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. 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. Men's Basketball; Jamie Dixon: Head Coach Tony Benford: Associate Head Coach Duane Broussard: Assistant Coach Jamie McNeilly: Assistant Coach Thomas Montigel: Assistant Athletics Director, Men's Basketball . Keep coming out. It pushed me to figure things out, keep up with everyone or be in the lead. "They've earned that title change. Bradley attended college at the University of Arkansas. "He was a big swimmer. He was previously the Wisconsin-Green Bay basketball coach. What were your impressions of it? Bradley is the No. The Valley All-Bench Team included Henry, Sardaar Calhoun (Drake), Ja'Kobi Gillespie (Belmont), Chance Moore (Missouri State) and Landon Wolf (Northern Iowa). Bradley was 8-0 when Wardle wore these shoes. bradleybraves.com. "Everyone in the family worked in it. ATLANTA -- Returning to the . I'll reflect on this award in April some time.". [MVCsports] Bradley's Brian Wardle named 2023 MVC Men's Coach of the When he needed those 6-inch by 6-inch vinyl adhesive removable signs for the BU floor, he turned to his father. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. "I'd want to go practice and play that person again. (Henry's) dunk, and Hickman's dunk just kind of sealing the game and getting the crowd nuts in the last two minutes. "I put the lettering away from the typesetting, took the trash out, mopped the floors," said Brian Wardle, 41. "They are taking on more responsibility with this new role," Wardle said. Across the street lived the Devine family. It's experience wins and the big talk was that Drake, they have a lot of experience in the starting lineup, but one look at the box score: 16 points from the bench for you and Drake had two. Provided. 1 seed and outright regular-season champion for the first time since 1996. We got to get better at some things still this week. Alec Brown was the 50th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns after the 7-foot-1 center was named the 2014 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in school history with 1,678 career points. He was hired in March 2015 [2] to replace Geno Ford, who was fired after the 2014-15 season. 15 Miami, Wardle's final Green Bay squad followed with a 24-9 record in 2014-15 and earned an at-large selection to the NIT after finishing as runner-up in the Horizon League regular season and postseason tournament. Adams previously has held both positions at Georgetown High School. I was just fascinated with that. A team that's competitive, but also having fun, is a scary team this time of year, Bradley coach Brian Wardle said entering the 2023 MVC tournament. 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. Wardle still remembers his time toiling in the familyshop. (Manual High)/DePaul, Cameron Henry, IndSt. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Phone Email Address Twitter; Brian Wardle: Head Coach 309-677-2668 309-677-2668 If you want to get me going, just say that. Ultimately that's our goal. (AP Photo/Michael Woods), Bradley coach Brian Wardle on the sidelines against Arkansas during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in North Little Rock, Ark. Unreal. Your support truly makes a difference. Bradley University 2023 All Rights Reserved 1501 W. Bradley Avenue Peoria, IL 61625. 0:49. Box Score. Beal, Wizards spoil Snyder's Hawks debut with 119-116 win Where Missouri State football, basketball head coach contracts rank 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. 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. Basketball Coach in Henagar, AL | Bradley H. | CoachUp They've worked really hard. 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. Bradley Women's Basketball (3-10) heads on the road to face Southern Illinois (5-6) and Missouri State (7-4). "By the time he won a national championship as a 16-year-old, I knew he was going to be a coach," Jim Wardle said. "I don't know how they'll do with a basketball when they reach 66.". 0. And for all the newbies that came today, bandwagoners: I love you, too. With their season-ending win over Valparaiso, the Braves finished with a 17-13 overall record and placed fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference at 11-7. When was the last time you coached in front of a home crowd like that? Bradley University Head Men's Basketball Coach Brian Wardle has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. Hochman: Bradley basketball comes to St. Louis to make more Arch And I think this group has done that.". G 6-0 Calumet City, Ill. (Bishop Noll)/Siena, Ben Sheppard, Belmont Sr. G 6-6 Atlanta, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian), Bowen Born, UNI So. "I'm grateful to be the first. The Bradley Braves men's basketball team represents Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, in NCAA Division I basketball competition. Bradley student-athletes have received MVC Scholar-Athletes accolades 21 times during his seven years on campus. Visit ESPN for the play-by-play of the Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Bradley Braves NCAAM basketball game on March 3, 2023 . Hillsdale College Athletics Moline jumped in . Bradley Beal make big plays to lift Wizards over Hawks, new coach Quin Underwood has made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with a seventh precluded by . In his eight seasons with the Braves, Versace led the team to three regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championships, two Valley titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 1982 National Invitation Tournament crown. Bradley Basketball Coach Wardle Receives Contract Extension Through PEORIA Bradley men's basketball has about 60 Bradley shield logo decals scattered on its practice floor, a sign of the COVID-19 era and social distancing.. Braves coach Brian Wardle wanted . 2022-23 Men's Basketball Coaching Staff. The Braves have also been very active within the Peoria community and consistently lead the athletic department in volunteer service, totaling more than 5,000 hours of community service under Wardles leadership. The following is a list of Bradley Braves men's basketball head coaches. [1], Bradley's current head coach is Brian Wardle. Bradley won 57-54. It's something I've been able to hone in as I get older, but I'm still extremely competitive.". I listen to old-school hip-hop, kind of from my basketball roots, and my wife likes country so I listen to that, too. Visit ESPN for the team statistics of the Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Bradley Braves NCAAM basketball game on March 3, 2023 . Featuring the nations youngest team in his first season on campus and the youngest in the conference each of his first three years, Wardle quickly improved BUs fortunes increasing by eight wins in 2016-17 and seven victories in 2017-18, while earning the schools first 20-win campaign in nine years to cap the early success. Mostly tried to stay in Las Vegas and Reno, went up through Canada. Get the list of all Bradley Braves's Coaches and More About College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. "I'm watching film right now. Now, we'd like to get back and win some games. Jones brings coaching experience from the Missouri Valley Conference, Big Ten and Big Sky to the BU staff, filling the void created when longtime assistant coach Drew Adams left earlier this month for Cincinnati. I don't take long. Fact by fact, story by story. 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. We're going to celebrate tonight and enjoy this tonight and we'll get back at it tomorrow night.". We played around hotels, arenas and churches, places like that.". "I've been coaching for 27 years and that was the first time I've ever been on a staff that was let go," Jones said. STA00221PO23 . Having reestablished Bradley mens basketball as a championship-level program, Brian Wardle is in his eighth year as head coach of the Braves. 2023 Hoops in the Heartland Reservations Form. Born in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, Wardle played for Marquette from 1997-2001, . Brian Wardle: A look at the Bradley University basketball head coach "Brian Wardle hopes to carry success to Bradley from UW-Green Bay", "Wardle Named Green Bay Head Basketball Coach", "A reporter wouldn't hype Bradley University's "brand," so it pulled his basketball credential", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brian_Wardle_(basketball)&oldid=1142453232, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 13:14. I'll always say that, so we got our hands full.". Final. While building for success on the floor, Wardle has also made academic success and community involvement pillars of the Bradley program. "Brian never really played music," said Jim Wardle, laughing. They have children Davin, 8, Emery, 11 and Mya, 14. Arch Madness: What to watch for Bradley at the MVC tournament. Feb 24, 2023. Matthew Ogle. 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. 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. ", Technology, trust and an 11-hour flight:How Bradley landed a unique 7-foot-1 recruit. The official 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster for the Bradley University Braves. 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. No cause of death was given. And how Brian Wardlegot his middle name, Murphy. "Then about a week ago, Brian Wardle called me. That hurt. Bradley head coach Brian Wardle works the second half against Valpo during the Missouri Valley Conference championship game at Enterprise Center on Sunday, March 8, 2020. High Point University has fired men's basketball coach G.G. Dick Versace, one of the most successful men's basketball coaches at Bradley University, died Friday at the age of 81. The regular season's hard. He also saw all the signs, early on, that pointed to the man and the coach Brian Wardle is today. I leave that up to the experts to tell me where we're at. Russell, who propelled the Celtics to 11 N.B.A. "Drew is an excellent recruiter, and he deserved a chance to go to Cincinnati," Wardle said. Coach. But I don't know. "We've been connected a long time, and he let me know there might be an opportunity for me at Bradley," Jones said. We need you next year.". 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 . Our community supports us so well. He died when Wardle was a freshman at Marquette, and never got to see him play a college game. ':How Twitter reacted to Bradley basketball's big MVC victory. Because that's the loudest I've ever heard Carver Arena. I had no problem being alone, basketball was my outlet for a lot of things.". They are guys who have helped build this program to sustained success and been a huge part of it. Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. 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. Here's everything Wardle said in his news conference after Bradley's 73-61 victory over Drake in Peoria: Champions: Bradley beats Drake to win the MVC men's basketball championship. Having fun: Top-seeded Bradley mens basketball team gears up for Arch Madness tournament run, Bradley mens basketball team wins showdown for MVC crown, Henry hits milestone as streaking Bradley mens basketball team sets up showdown for MVC season title, Q&A: Edgar discusses strong fall attendance at Peoria Civic Center heading into the holiday season, Sommerville, Les share memories of Bradleys 2005-06 Sweet 16 run ahead of Hall of Fame induction. Did you automatically clinch a berth to the NIT with this win tonight? Spartanburg, SC . His father-in-law, Bill Murphy, owned Murphy's Sign Studio and Jim eventually went to work for him, then later bought the business. "Standup, high-character guy. 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. When I work out, when I'm in the car, all the time. What to watch for Bradley at the MVC tournament, How to watch Bradleyat the MVCtournament TV, tickets, game time, How Bradley Hall of Famer Lindsay Stalzer ended up back playing volleyball in America, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. More Videos. For all the fans that have been coming all year: We love you. (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. Rienk Mast was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team, while Leons earned second-team honors and also earned a spot on the Valley's All-Defensive Team. How Bradley remembered a coach, welcomed a baseball hall of famer and But all we can do is win games.". {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}. Wardle is married to the former Lecia Schuetz, a soccer student-athlete during her collegiate career at Marquette. The Braves added their second regular-season tournament crown under his watch (and just the sixth in school history) with the 2021 Sun Bowl Invitational title. (2000) Coach Bradley has worked as an gym clinician for the past 20 years in over 12 . Bradley played two seeded Michigan State on March 21, 2019. 02 Mar 2023 01:46:19 We've won Arch Madnesses back to back, we've checked those boxes. Wardle later apologized and the reporter's access to the team was restored. 55 Notable Alumni of Bradley University [Sorted List] - EduRank.org 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. But hey, I can still play. To see the players celebrate, they deserve it. View Hall of Fame Inductees - Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan "We're happy for him. You got a good healthy balance, can't be one-dimensional offensively. PEORIA, IL - A rising star in the coaching profession, Northwestern Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Kate Popovec has been named the 10th head coach in Bradley University Women's Basketball history, according to an announcement from Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds Wednesday morning. I can count on those guys.". Where were you during the court storming? G 6-6 Louisville, Ky. (St. Louis Christian Academy), *denotes team "captain" as designated by the league's beat writers and media panel. St. Louis, Mo. G 6-0 Greeneville, Tenn. (Greeneville High), Chance Moore, Missouri St. Darius (Hannah) has been huge for us all year. Congratulations Coach Wardle, and the entire staff. No Braves player had won it outright. Thanks. Moline unleashed a high-powered offensive show to knock off Bradley-Bourbonnais 71-39 Friday in Illinois boys basketball action on Feb. 24. "These reflect on the team, on all of us. As expected, he was named MVC Sixth Man of the Year on Wednesday night. Men's Basketball - Bradley University Athletics Wardles recruiting efforts at Green Bay resulted in several players of note. Bravescoach Brian Wardle wanted them, and knew just who to get them from: His father, Jim Wardle. Missouri Valley Conference:Path is set: Bradley men's basketball gets schedule. There was a problem saving your notification. ", 'I love this fricken team! Assistant AD for Marketing and Fan Experience in Spartanburg, SC for Bradley is the No. "That was a scary game," Bradley head coach . At Lawrence, Bradley was a starter and helped the Vikings to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 berth in 2005-06. ", More: How to watch Bradleyat the MVCtournament TV, tickets, game time. Phone. He narrowly missed becoming the first player in Valley history to reach 50-50. It remains to be seen how long Coach Wardle will stay with BU, as his success in . Wardle said Jones will be Bradley's defensive coordinator, but will certainly scout and also offer input on the Braves' offense. G/F 6-7 Waukee, Iowa (Waukee High), Duke Deen, Bradley Jr. G 5-8 Shreveport, La. 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. "It was in me from a very young age, a competitive thing I got from my parents," Wardle said." You might not play for another 30 minutes.". And then your defensive rebounding has to win you games this time of year, and I thought we were able to do that. The announcement was made during the MVC Awards Banquet on March 1, in downtown St. Louis. I mean you got to have a little luck on your side always but you guys stay healthy. Bradley played basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks under legendary Coach Nolan Richardson, and was a four-time letterman from 1996 to 1999. Bradley Braves Men's Basketball Coaches | College Basketball at Sports During his thirteen seasons as Bradley's head coach he won 197 games. It's well-coached, preparation's tremendous, everyone guards you. It was the first OCC title in program history and first league title in . She has been on the Hilltop since Travis Mays was named head coach in 2016. 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. Bradley basketball:Why Bradley's projected starting lineup might surprise you, plus MVC's great expectations The Brian Jones resume. Joe Stowell is an American former college basketball coach and broadcaster. Turnovers were in stretches a little bit, and you guys overcame that though. Probably the best sleep I've had in a long, long time and I kind of knew that might be an omen. Having reestablished Bradley mens basketball as a championship-level program, Brian Wardle is in his eighth year as head coach of the Braves. [4], National champion Prior to Bradley's NCAA Tournament game against Michigan State, Wardle was involved in a controversy that gained national attention. We had to be strong with the ball, that was one of the keys to the game offensively downhill and two hands on the ball and be strong. "We wanted it to carry on," Wardle said. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Still, Jones says he won't carry any grudge into those rivalry games in 2022-23. Brian Wardle: A look at the Bradley University basketball head coach. Getting ready for who we might play. In 2015, he left to take the coaching job at Bradley, which posted a 9-24 record the season before his arrival and a 5-27 record after the year in which he arrived. I mean there are a lot of factors to win this time of year, and depth is always big. (AP Photo/Michael Woods), Bradley coach Brian Wardle talks to his team during a time out against Arkansas during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in North Little Rock, Ark. Jeff White, jwhite@virginia.edu. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. championships, the final two when he became the first Black head coach in a major American sports league, died on Sunday. In his first seven seasons on the BU sideline, Wardle has built Bradley into a perennial Missouri Valley Conference contender, capped by winning back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2020. . Latest Topics. Title. Bradley Braves Men's Basketball Coaches. The Bradley Basketball "Movement" will continue for at least five more years. ", Valley champions: Bradley beats Drake to win the MVC men's basketball championship, Tucker DeVries, Drake So. High Point University has fired men's basketball coach G.G. It's really hard to score and I love competing in it, because it's a challenge every day. 'Part of history':Catching up with Bradley's last Missouri Valley basketball champion. Chris Bradley joined Ensworth in 2009 as an Assistant Athletic Director and became the Head Wrestling Coach in 2011. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Photo by Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com, Jack Watkins, right, works at the scorer's table at a Missouri Valley Conference tournament game in 2019 as Bradley coach Brian Wardle chats with referee Gerry Pollard. "Let's see, 7 a.m., what'd I do? Moline opened with a 23-10 advantage over Bradley-Bourbonnais through the first . Coffee. Amie Smith Bradley was promoted to Associate Head Coach prior to the 2019-20 season. G 6-5 Titusville, Fla. (Astronaut High), Donovan Clay, Missouri St. Sr. G/F 6-8 Alton, Ill. (Alton High)/Valparaiso, Malevy Leons, Bradley Sr. F 6-9 IJmuiden, Netherlands (Mineral Area College), Courvoisier McCauley, IndSt. "That's probably right," Jones said, chuckling. Highlighted by a 68-55 win at then No. That's what we're built on, and it's helped us have a lot of success in February, March. "I came back here and he needed help and here I am, 45 years later," Jim Wardle said. Sycamores ake 4 free throws to cut to 70-64. Channel: Basketball Fan Talk & Other Sports. UNI claimed the top seed and will face either Illinois State or Indiana State in Fridays first game, with the winner advancing to face the Bradley-Loyola winner. I thought (the road record) was blown a little bit out of proportion to be quite honest, and I thought we proved that. 1 seed and outright regular-season champion for the first time since 1996. Jones was associate head coach at ISU the last three seasons . Wardle is the first Bradley coach win league honors since Jim Molinari in 1996. You knew where they would be on what days of the week, all over the western suburbs.". Conference regular season and conference tournament champion Bradley Beal scored 37 points and Kyle Kuzma added 28 as the short-handed Wizards stifled Trae Young and the Hawks when it mattered most.