Bradley enters MC Hall of Fame

BURNHAM — The late Dave Bradley was a star offensive lineman at Chief Logan High School, which eventually led him to be an All-State selection by both the Associated Press and the UPI, where he was named to Scholastic Magazine’s All-American team back in 1965.


Bradley was a stellar football player and was a member of the Pennsylvania team that competed against Texas in the 1965 Big 33 Football Classic. Following his graduation, he went on to become a standout on the offensive line, seeing time at both guard and tackle. Bradley was the starting tackle for the Nittany Lions under Joe Paterno when they won the Orange Bowl in 1969 and was able to participate in the Senior and Hula Bowl games.

The Nittany Lions’ 1969 Orange Bowl victory is widely considered to be one the best in Penn State history as the Lions used a late two-point conversion to defeat Kansas, 15-14, in the 35th Orange Bowl.

Bradley was named to the Nittany Anthology website as one of the best players of the 1960s as a member of the All-Decade team at guard and eventually went on to play five seasons of professional football and one season in the WFL.

The local legend died on Oct. 1, 2010, but, was elected as a member of the inaugural class of the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday night at Birch Hill.

A close friend of Bradley’s, Jim Foster, spoke on behalf of Bradley at the induction ceremony.

“We’ve all seen his accomplishments and achievements, that certainly qualify him for this as a member of the first class of the Mifflin County Hall of Fame,” Foster said. “In 1963, we grew up as Chief Logan Mingoes. In the summers, Dave and Dottie and I worked at the concession stand at Whipple Dam State Park and that’s what we did as juniors and seniors. Every morning we’d go early and Dave and I would run around the park to get in shape. I would run and struggle breathing and he would run five-ten times farther than I would. He always had a great work ethic and prided himself on getting in shape.”

Foster recalled Bradley’s versatility as an athlete in high school and their time together.

“We were on three sports teams together,” Foster said. “He was my brother. As a senior he was a Parade Magazine All-American. Dave graduated, went to Penn State and the next year I graduated and went to South Dakota. We lived our lives, raised families, and did things for the next 30 plus years without much contact. Then one day, years ago, when we were both back in town, we got together. It was like we never left, and we never missed a beat. That’s what real friendship is.

“Hard work and dedication make you great, but you can’t do it alone,” Foster added. “Dave was there for many to be that helping hand.”

Bradley’s wife Dottie accepted the Hall of Fame plaque in memory of her late husband.

“Thank you very much for being here with us. Unfortunately (Dave) is not,” Dottie said. “On behalf of my family and Dave, thank you.”