Claremore Daily Progress

Sports Columnists

February 21, 2010

Bradley covers all bases, takes pride in Hillcat athletics

CLAREMORE — If there is anything you want to know about Rogers State University, just ask Ryan Bradley.

The RSU sports information director is the hardest working individual I’ve ever been around.

With a passion for sports, especially baseball, Bradley is a plethora of knowledge and a good guy to know. Claremore residents will not find a better man who eats, sleeps and breathes RSU athletics than the former Zebras shortstop who also is the son of Hillcats skipper Ron Bradley.

Being new to town and two weeks on the job here at the Claremore Daily Progress, Bradley has definitely made my job a lot easier.

Not only is he a diehard Arkansas Razorback fan like myself, but Bradley epitomizes the lifestyle that I dream of . . . being able to watch college sports year round.

Blessed with a wonderful wife, Heather and a great daughter, Madison, Bradley has welcomed me to Claremore with open arms and made me a part of the RSU family.

His sports information staff is top-notch and the best I’ve ever been around in my 13 years of being a sports editor.

It’s often said that you can tell a lot about someone by the way he leads his life. From what I can see in just the short time that I’ve known Bradley, he is a man of integrity that loves his family, his job and serves the Lord with all his heart.

A lot of people punch the clock at 8 a.m. and by 9  they are already wondering when 5 p.m. will come around.

That’s not the case for Bradley and his staff.

Eight-hour days don’t exist in the world of media relations. If he is like other SIDs around the country, the office becomes his home away from home. And, family time often gets spent at gymnasiums, baseball diamonds or soccer fields.

Those occasional Sundays and Wednesdays when the sports world enjoys a day of rest, Bradley can probably be found playing catch in the backyard with Madison or enjoying ‘The Bachelor’ with his lovely wife.

RSU athletic director Wren Baker inherited a proven leader in Bradley, who has definitely gone beyond the limits to keeping the Hillcats recognized on the national scene in the NAIA.

Bradley may not get the credit he deserves, but through the eyes of this native Texan, he is the right man for the job.

Thanks, Ryan for keeping the people of Claremore and myself informed on the success of Hillcat athletics.

You definitely have all your bases covered.

(Tim Ritter is the sports editor of the Claremore Daily Progress. He can be reached at tritter@claremoreprogress.com)

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