CLEMSON, SC --
Bob Bradley, a legendary figure in Clemson athletics for over 45
years, passed away Monday afternoon at the Oconee Memorial Hospital in
Seneca, SC. Bradley was 75-years-old. Bradley had been fighting bone
cancer for three years and had been placed in the hospital two weeks ago
for pneumonia and an irregular heart beat.
Bradley served as Clemson sports information director from 1955-89
and in an emeritas capacity from 1989 until his death. Visitation and
funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Just this past Saturday afternoon he was presented the Order of
the Palmetto in his hospital room by a representative from Governor Jim
Hodges office. The Order of the Palmetto recognizes important people
that have helped the state of South Carolina and is the state's highest
honor.
Bradley served as Clemson sports information director from 1955 to
1989, a 34-year period in which he received virtually every award
attainable in his chosen field. His work ethic and quick wit are
legendary. He worked 502 consecutive Clemson football games between
October 20, 1955 and October 14, 2000.
The streak stopped on October 21, 2000 when he was in the hospital
recovering from pneumonia and an irregular heart beat. He still has an
active streak of having worked 313 consecutive ACC Basketball Tournament
games, a streak that dates to March of 1956. He served as the official
scorer for every tournament between 1967 and 1992.
Bradley, 75, was one of the most repected SIDs in his field on a
nationwide basis during his 45 years in the profession. In 1988, the
Clemson Memorial Stadium Pressbox was named in his honor.
In 1975-76 academic year, Bradley served as President of CoSIDA
(College Sports Information Directors of America) and was inducted into the
organization's Hall of Fame. During his career, Clemson won countless
publication awards and citations for service to the media. In fact, it
was Bradley who devised the publication contests award system that the
organization still uses today.
In 1976, he was named the Arch Ward Award (CoSIDA Man of the
Year). In 1983 he was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of
Fame for his special contributions to college athletics. In 1985 he was
inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bradley, a native of Randleman, NC began his association with
Clemson in 1941 when he entered the college as a freshman. After serving a
four-year stint in the Air Force, he returned to Clemson and served as
editor of The Tiger, the student newspaper in 1948. Upon graduation in
1951, he began a career in sports writing with the Greenville News. He
came back to Clemson in 1953 as secretary of the Alumni Association.
In October of 1955 he was hired by Frank Howard as Clemson Sports
Information Director. Bradley and Howard were quite a team, bringing
national acclaim to Clemson football for 15 years through the
accomplishments of Howard's teams on the field, and through Bradley's
publicizing of those accomplishments and Howard's entertaining personality.
Bradley and Howard collaborated on a book of short stories on
Howard's career after Bradley retired in 1989. Bradley also authored a
book on Clemson history entitled Death Valley Days, The Glory of Clemson
Football. He co-authored the book with Associate Sports Information
DirectorSam Blackman and Clemson Head Tennis Coach Chuck Kriese just last
year entitled "Clemson, Where the Tigers Play".
Bradley is survived by his wife Louise and children Robert and Dorma.
Bradley Services
Funeral services for Bob Bradley will be held Wednesday at 2:00 PM at the
United Methodist Church in Clemson. (For those of you familiar with
Clemson University, it is across the street from Riggs Field, Clemson's
soccer facility).
A graveside service will follow on Cemetary Hill (which is located behind
the press box). Visitation will follow in the Bob Bradley Press Box.
All of this will take place Wednesday. There are no services on Tuesday.
Quotes from ACC Commissioner John Swofford:
"All of us in the Atlantic Coast Conference are extremely saddened today with the news that Bob Bradley, the long-time Clemson sports information director, passed away after a long bout with cancer.”
"Bob Bradley has been a fixture in the Atlantic Coast Conference since its inception and his work as SID at Clemson has been one of the reasons the conference and Clemson University have achieved such a strong and positive reputation both regionally and nationally.”
"His work in media sports relations has been exemplary through the years. His career at Clemson spanned 53 years as Secretary of the Alumni Association, Sports Information Director and Sports Information Director Emeritus. During that time he was a dedicated friend to members of the media, to administrative staff, to coaches and to student-athletes alike. He was also a gifted teacher, as countless numbers of his students went on to productive and successful careers in athletic and business.”
"Mr. Bradley's reputation for his hospitality to visitors to Clemson and for his loyalty to Clemson University is legendary. Even after his retirement in 1989, he continued to work as Sports Information Director Emeritus and he contributed greatly at events such as the ACC Basketball and Baseball Tournaments.”
"For me personally, it will be difficult to imagine a Clemson sporting event without Bob. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his widow, Louise Bradley, and the entire Bradley family. We have all lost a very good friend."
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