Dr. Bradley J. Bates

Year Inducted: 2005

Dr. Bradley James Bates was a standout in every sport in which he participated. Brad was known from the beginning for his hard work and grit. He was an outstanding swimmer on the YMCA team, once placing second in a state tournament in the 50-meter freestyle. He played football, basketball, and ran track at Port Huron Northern High School. He was the starting quarterback for two years, set and held rebound records for a number of years, was league champ in the 1/2 mile run his senior year and was one of two selected as Athlete of the Year. He could have gone to a Division II or III and been an impact player, but had a dream to follow in his dad's footsteps and play football at the University of Michigan. He made the team as a walk-on under Bo Schembechler. He won the best conditioned athlete all four years of U of M, setting records still held – such as bench pressing 400 lbs. And he was granted a scholarship for his hard work and grit. As a senior, he was in on the tackle of every fielded punt in every game but the last.

He was hired as a graduate assistant coach at U of M. From there, he went to the University of Colorado as an assistant coach for three years. Then Brad went to Vanderbilt University as the head coach of strength and conditioning for four years. He became the interim assistant AD for six months and then assistant AD for six years. Brad held three different levels of Associate Director of Athletics at Vandy for seven years.

In December of 2002, he was named Athletic Director of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio – his present position. In 1998, he became Dr. Bradley J. Bates.