California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Mike Bradley becomes the fourth member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams to be inducted into the Cal U Athletic Hall of Fame.

Bradley was a three-time all-conference cross country performer who finished fifth in 1983, seventh in 1980 and fourth in 1979. He earned All-American status after finishing 24th nationally at the 1983 NCAA II Nationals.

In track and field, he won the 10,000-meter PSAC championship in 1980 and placed third in that event in 1983. Bradley also placed third in the 5,000-meter event in 1983.

He concluded his consistently successful collegiate track and field career by achieving All-American honors with a ninth-place national finish in the 10,000-meters in 1983.

Bradley, who earned all-conference recognition five times in track and field, owned the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase event. He also occasionally competed in the 1,500-meter race.

Bradley’s coach during his first two seasons was the late Dr. Ray Lister, who started the track and field programs at Cal, and then Dr. Phil Coleman and Marty Uher. All three were granted emeriti faculty status upon their retirements. Lister and Coleman were both world-class runners while Uher took over as the track and field head coach in 1974 and the cross country head coach in 1976 after serving as an assistant football coach.

“I was very fortunate to have several great coaches during my years at Cal U,” Bradley said. “Both Dr. Lister and Dr. Coleman were national class runners. They both had great insight into what it took to be a successful, competitive runner. That being said, Coach Uher was the biggest influence on my success as a runner at Cal U. He had a knack for always having me running my absolute best when it counted the most. I remember being asked several times by competitors, "Why is it I can beat you at the beginning of the season, but never at the championship meets?" I always replied that I didn't know. But of course, I did know. I had a better coach than they did. Coach Uher helped me achieve more as a runner than I ever dreamed possible.”

One of Bradley’s teammates was 1995 Cal Hall of Fame inductee Brian Ferrari, a two-time 10,000-meter and one-time cross-country NCAA National champion. Along with Ferrari, other Cal Hall of Fame members who competed solely in men’s track and field and cross country include Dean Shaw and Bill Birch. Bradley is appreciative to be receiving the university’s highest athletic honor and join a distinguished group of runners into the Cal U Hall of Fame.

“It's really a great honor to be inducted into the Cal U Hall of Fame,” Bradley said. “I'm well aware of the credentials of many of the athletes already in the Hall of Fame, and to be included in that group is very humbling. I was very lucky to be at Cal U at the same time as the best runner in the history of the school. Having the opportunity to train on a daily basis with such a talented runner, as Brian Ferrari was a real inspiration. Joining Brian in the Hall of Fame is really special for me.”

Interestingly, Bradley, though a standout in both physically and mentally demanding sports, favors cross country because he believes it is more conducive to team camaraderie.

“I would have to say that I prefer cross-country over track,” said Bradley. “I really enjoyed track but it is much different than cross-country. In track, you've got throwers, jumpers, hurdlers, sprinters, etc....everybody is doing something different. In cross-country, everyone is in the same race, so the team aspect is much more evident. I think that there is a little extra mental toughness and dedication necessary to be a good distance runner. It is basically a year round deal with very few days off. We had some really close knit cross-country teams during my years at Cal U who were very dedicated. It was just a great bunch of guys that made even the toughest workouts fun. I still keep in touch with several of the guys, twenty-five years later.”

Originally from Wyndmoor, PA, and a graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School, Bradley remarkably did not compete in either cross country or track until his senior year. After high school graduation, Bradley worked for several years while running and racing on his own before attending Cal U.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree in water analysis technology from Cal U, Bradley worked as a lab technician for various environmental laboratories in the Philadelphia and South New Jersey areas.

Mike and his wife, Lisa, relocated to Portland, Maine, where Bradley used his Cal U degree to help change careers and move into the education field.

For the past five years he has served as an Educational Technician at the Middle School in Biddeford, Maine, where he works extensively with seventh grade special education students to help them be successful.

Coinciding with his professional change was the start of a promising coaching career. At Biddlefield Middle School, Bradley coached the middle school boy’s and girl’s track team for three years. During the last two years, Mike was the assistant track and field coach at Biddleford High School.

“I really enjoy working with the students,” Bradley said. “Whether it is in the classroom or on the track I find it very gratifying.”

The Bradleys moved to Green Valley, AZ, this past summer where Mike will continue to work in education and coach. Though he is understandably is unable to make the cross country trip to attend the banquet, Bradley has fond memories of his Cal U days.

“I think Cal U was a great place to get an education,” said Bradley. “I always felt very comfortable and really enjoyed my time there, both as a student and as an athlete. I developed many lifelong friendships with my teammates, and I still look back on my years at Cal U as some of the best years of my life.”