Temple AD Bradshaw to retire

After 11 years as Athletic Director of Temple University, Bill Bradshaw has decided to retire, effective June 30.

The school revealed the news on Wednesday, with Bradshaw citing personal issues within his family which led to the decision.

"Bill was the right person at the right time for Temple athletics, and we are grateful for his commitment to excellence and dedication to our student-athletes," Temple president Neil Theobald said. "I want to thank Bill for the dedication that he has given Temple as director of intercollegiate athletics over his tenure here.  Bill leaves a strong foundation in place for his successor.  We are grateful for his efforts and wish him the very best."

Bradshaw came to North Broad Street in 2001, fresh from a 16-year stint as AD out in DePaul, and before that, a successful eight-year run with his alma mater of La Salle.

The 65-year-old will actually begin a leave of absence effective this coming Friday, at which time Kevin Clark will assume the role of interim athletic director until a successor is found. Clark has been with the university since arriving from Indiana last November 1.

During Bradshaw's tenure, the Owls football program moved from also-ran in the Big East to MAC powerhouse which included a pair of bowl berths and the men's basketball program underwent the change in authority from John Chaney to Fran Dunphy.

"My 11 years at Temple University were among the most rewarding of my 36 years as an Athletic Director," said Bradshaw. "I will miss working with our exceptional staff and elite coaches, talented student-athletes, the campus community and the many friends of Temple Athletics who supported our vision and helped create a program poised for unprecedented success."


Bradshaw began his career in collegiate administration at Niagara, where he served as baseball coach and athletic director in the 1970s.