History of Bradley University in Timeline

Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, is a private university established in 1897. It serves approximately 5,200 students with a wide array of academic options, offering over 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate programs across five colleges. Bradley University holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and 22 specialized and professional accreditors, ensuring quality education and recognition.

1920: Adoption of a Four-Year Collegial Program

In 1920, Bradley Institute discontinued its academy orientation and transitioned to a four-year college program.

1930: Construction of Constance Hall

In 1930, Constance Hall, the first music building, was constructed on Bradley's campus.

1946: Name Change to Bradley University

In 1946, the institute officially changed its name to Bradley University.

1950: Baseball Team Advanced to College World Series

In 1950, Bradley's baseball team advanced to the College World Series.

1950: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance and Final Four

In 1950, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament and were national runners-up in the Final Four.

1954: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance and Final Four

In 1954, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament and were national runners-up in the Final Four.

1955: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1955, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

1956: Baseball Team Advanced to College World Series

In 1956, the Bradley baseball team advanced to the College World Series and qualified for the Final Four.

1957: Men's Basketball National Invitation Tournament Win

In 1957, the men's basketball team won the National Invitation Tournament.

1960: Men's Basketball National Invitation Tournament Win

In 1960, the men's basketball team won the National Invitation Tournament.

1962: Renovation of Constance Hall

In 1962, Constance Hall was renovated to enhance its functionality as the music building on Bradley's campus.

1964: Men's Basketball National Invitation Tournament Win

In 1964, the men's basketball team won the National Invitation Tournament.

1968: Last NCAA Baseball Tournament Appearance Until 2015

1968 was the last time the Bradley baseball team made it to the NCAA postseason baseball tournament until 2015.

1970: Disbanding of Football Program

In 1970, the football program at Bradley University was disbanded.

1980: Start of Speech Team Winning Streak

In 1980, the Bradley University speech team began a winning streak at the American Forensics Association Championship.

1980: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1980, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

1982: Men's Basketball National Invitation Tournament Win

In 1982, the men's basketball team won the National Invitation Tournament.

1986: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1986, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

1988: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1988, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

1993: End of Speech Team Winning Streak

In 1993, the Bradley University speech team's winning streak at the American Forensics Association Championship came to an end.

1996: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1996, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

2002: Establishment of the Robert and Carolyn Turner Center for Entrepreneurship

In 2002, the Robert and Carolyn Turner Center for Entrepreneurship was established.

2003: Death of Robert Schmalz

In 2003, Bradley University student Robert Schmalz died due to excessive alcohol consumption.

2006: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament and Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 2006, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament, making their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 1955.

2008: Completion of the Markin Family Student Recreation Center

In 2008, the Markin Family Student Recreation Center was completed, providing a variety of sports and fitness areas on Bradley's campus.

2008: Men's Basketball College Basketball Invitational Appearance

In 2008, the men's basketball team participated in the inaugural College Basketball Invitational, losing in the Championship series.

2009: President's "E" Award for U.S. Exporters

In 2009, Bradley's International Trade Center was awarded the President's "E" Award for U.S. exporters.

March 2010: Start of Westlake Hall Renovation

In March 2010, a $24 million renovation began on Westlake Hall.

2011: Gerald Hills Receives Babson Lifetime Award

In 2011, Gerald Hills, the founding academic executive director, received the Babson Lifetime Award.

June 2012: Completion of Westlake Hall Renovation

In June 2012, the $24 million renovation of Westlake Hall was completed, expanding it to four stories and significantly increasing its size.

2012: Gerald Hills Receives Karl Vesper Entrepreneurship Pioneer Award

In 2012, Gerald Hills received the Karl Vesper Entrepreneurship Pioneer Award.

2013: Bradley Ranked Sixth Nationally for Fulbright Students

In 2013, Bradley was ranked sixth nationally among universities of its kind for producing Fulbright students.

December 2014: Retirement of Gerald Hills

In December 2014, Gerald Hills retired from his position as the Turner Chair of Entrepreneurship.

2014: Bradley Ranked Sixth Nationally for Fulbright Students

In 2014, Bradley was ranked sixth nationally among universities of its kind for producing Fulbright students.

2015: Baseball Team Received At-Large Bid to NCAA Postseason

In 2015, the Bradley baseball team received an at-large bid to the NCAA postseason baseball tournament, their first appearance since 1968.

2019: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2019, the men's basketball team appeared in the NCAA Tournament.

2020: Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2020, the men's basketball team would have appeared in the NCAA tournament as the MVC Tournament Champions.

March 7, 2022: National Collegiate Sales Competition Championship

On March 7, 2022, Bradley University's sales team won its nation-leading third National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) championship, becoming the first-ever back-to-back national champion.