La Salle names Bill Bradshaw as interim athletic director
THREE DECADES after he left La Salle following an eight-year stint as the university's athletic director, Bill Bradshaw is returning to his alma mater to become the interim AD.
THREE DECADES after he left La Salle following an eight-year stint as the university's athletic director, Bill Bradshaw is returning to his alma mater to become the interim AD.
"At this point in my life, it's almost like something out of heaven," said the 68-year-old Bradshaw. "It's been a long time. But I've kept in touch. It's in your blood. I have a lot of memories there. That makes it special. I think people overuse that word. But for me, I think that's really the case. I can't think of many people who've had something like this happen to them. That's why this opportunity is so serendipitous.
"Years ago, I thought I could be there for the rest of my life. I really did. This is a whole different feeling. It's like the stars aligned."
Bradshaw left La Salle in 1986 to go to DePaul, where he stayed until 2002. Then he moved to Temple, where he remained for 11 years. He is currently a consultant on college sports matters for the Chicago office of EMA partners, a global executive search firm.
On Feb. 15, La Salle announced that Tom Brennan was leaving the position after 19 years.
Bradshaw will take over on March 9, the first day of the Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y. La Salle previously had said Brennan would step down at the conclusion of the basketball season.
School president Dr. Colleen M. Hanycz, who's been on the job since last summer, said La Salle will begin a national search for a permanent AD at a later date.
"As we embark on a new era in La Salle athletics, we are confident (Bradshaw's) attributes and drive for excellence will serve the university well," she said in a statement.
Bradshaw, who played baseball at 20th and Olney, is a member of La Salle's Hall of Fame and the university's Hall of Athletes. In 2012, he was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame after being named the organization's AD of the Year in 2011.
"I had resigned myself to being in retirement," Bradshaw said. "After 36 years in three schools, I just sort of felt that would be it. Maybe all of us should have a leave of absence. It's given me a new perspective. I feel re-energized. There's a lot that I missed (about it).
"You've always got to get in there and take a look under the hood. Once I'm able to do that, I'll have a much better answer as to what's needed. Obviously the university is addressing a lot of challenges. And hopefully athletics can be a solution to some of those, as far as enrollment and applications and finances. There's going to be some heavy lifting. I want to be hand and glove with what the president wants to do. That really goes in with her vision . . .
"I accepted with the president that (the position) would be interim. But in terms of a timetable, I said I'll stay as long as you need me. I don't think there will be a search right away . . .
"You know, I may be surprised," he continued, chuckling at the thought, "that as many things are exactly where they were as have changed or moved."
Welcome back.
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