Central Michigan University Athletics
Donor Spotlight: John and Sue Bradac
2/3/2012 12:00:00 AM | Chippewa Fund
MOUNT PLEASANT - There are only a select group of people that can say they've watched Central Michigan take on Northern Michigan in football at the Alumni Fields as well as claim that they were in the house for the inaugural game at McGuirk Arena.
Chippewa Athletic Fund members John and Sue Bradac are in that group.
They are the fourth generation of Bradacs that have been involved with CMU athletics and have supported the Chippewas since 1952.
"Our tradition goes way back," John said. "I think it's an area that deserves support."
Their support extends beyond just CMU athletics to many areas of the community. In fact, to call the Bradacs community-minded would only be scratching the surface of their commitment to the city of Mount Pleasant.
John has served as the president of the chamber of commerce, the chair of the planning commission and he and Sue have been involved with a number of non-profits including the Red Cross, humane society and Sacred Heart Parish.
The Bradacs also have established the John and Sue Bradac Family Emergency Fund through the Mount Pleasant Community Area Foundation that helps local non-profits cover unexpected and, potentially financially crippling, expenses.
"Are you involved civically? Are you involved athletically? Are you involved religiously?" he said. "It makes for a well-balanced person and we're fortunate that maybe we can do a little bit more."
While the Bradacs support all of CMU's teams, they have a special affinity for Chippewa volleyball and he and Sue are charter members of the Volleyball Chippewa Champions program.
John Bradac recalled a specific occasion during the Student Athlete Advisory Committee's annual fall canned food drive where CMU student-athletes canvas Mount Pleasant collecting non-perishables for the Red Cross.
"The doorbell rang and I got up to see what was going on and there are two girls in CMU varsity coats," he said. "And I remember, my lord, the one girl was tall!"
Bradac said he remembers chatting with them and was impressed at the importance that they placed on being education and community minded.
"They're giving up a Sunday afternoon to grab some cans to help (the Red Cross)," he said. "I was just impressed with that."
Like most CMU fans, John has trouble identifying a specific CMU athletics memory to cite as his favorite. He said that CMU's 1974 Division II Football National Championship sticks out as well as the Dan Majerle era.
Bradac said that he loved seeing a player from Traverse City get his shot with the Chippewas and the excitement that a player like Majerle created in the arena.
"You better be there two hours early if you don't have a seat," he said, "It was unbelievable."
The movement of the seasons, the constant flow of good athletes and great people through the program and, perhaps most importantly, what the presence of an athletic program like CMU's means to Mount Pleasant are all reasons why the Bradac's donate to the Chippewa Athletic Fund.
"We've always had the town and gown; the city and the university," he said. "A lot of people take for granted everything the university does directly and indirectly for the community and athletics is a part of that."
On behalf of the over 400 CMU student-athletes, we would like to thank John and Sue Bradac for their outstanding commitment to Chippewa Athletics through their contributions to the Chippewa Athletic Fund.
Chippewa Athletic Fund members John and Sue Bradac are in that group.
They are the fourth generation of Bradacs that have been involved with CMU athletics and have supported the Chippewas since 1952.
"Our tradition goes way back," John said. "I think it's an area that deserves support."
Their support extends beyond just CMU athletics to many areas of the community. In fact, to call the Bradacs community-minded would only be scratching the surface of their commitment to the city of Mount Pleasant.
John has served as the president of the chamber of commerce, the chair of the planning commission and he and Sue have been involved with a number of non-profits including the Red Cross, humane society and Sacred Heart Parish.
The Bradacs also have established the John and Sue Bradac Family Emergency Fund through the Mount Pleasant Community Area Foundation that helps local non-profits cover unexpected and, potentially financially crippling, expenses.
"Are you involved civically? Are you involved athletically? Are you involved religiously?" he said. "It makes for a well-balanced person and we're fortunate that maybe we can do a little bit more."
While the Bradacs support all of CMU's teams, they have a special affinity for Chippewa volleyball and he and Sue are charter members of the Volleyball Chippewa Champions program.
John Bradac recalled a specific occasion during the Student Athlete Advisory Committee's annual fall canned food drive where CMU student-athletes canvas Mount Pleasant collecting non-perishables for the Red Cross.
"The doorbell rang and I got up to see what was going on and there are two girls in CMU varsity coats," he said. "And I remember, my lord, the one girl was tall!"
Bradac said he remembers chatting with them and was impressed at the importance that they placed on being education and community minded.
"They're giving up a Sunday afternoon to grab some cans to help (the Red Cross)," he said. "I was just impressed with that."
Like most CMU fans, John has trouble identifying a specific CMU athletics memory to cite as his favorite. He said that CMU's 1974 Division II Football National Championship sticks out as well as the Dan Majerle era.
Bradac said that he loved seeing a player from Traverse City get his shot with the Chippewas and the excitement that a player like Majerle created in the arena.
"You better be there two hours early if you don't have a seat," he said, "It was unbelievable."
The movement of the seasons, the constant flow of good athletes and great people through the program and, perhaps most importantly, what the presence of an athletic program like CMU's means to Mount Pleasant are all reasons why the Bradac's donate to the Chippewa Athletic Fund.
"We've always had the town and gown; the city and the university," he said. "A lot of people take for granted everything the university does directly and indirectly for the community and athletics is a part of that."
On behalf of the over 400 CMU student-athletes, we would like to thank John and Sue Bradac for their outstanding commitment to Chippewa Athletics through their contributions to the Chippewa Athletic Fund.
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