On April 5, 2025, after 38 years of guiding the Belmont Hill wrestling program, Mr. Bradley was inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Mr. Bradley was first introduced to the sport in fourth grade in an elementary school PE class. Then, in the 7th grade at the Kingswood Oxford School, he joined the wrestling team, for which he would become a key member over the next six years, even becoming team captain.
Mr. Bradley joined Belmont Hill and the low-ranked wrestling program in 1987 because he knew the program needed to be built. Over the next 10 years, he began the long climb to build the program to championship standards within the ISL. In 1997, the hard work came to fruition when they won the ISL Graves-Kelsey Tournament in what remains one of Mr. Bradley’s favorite coaching memories. Since that first championship, the team has had tremendous success. They have won the Graves-Kelsey Tournament 17 times, the ISL Dual Meet championship 19 times, and the New England tournament six times. During Mr. Bradley’s tenure, 27 Belmont Hill wrestlers have earned All-American honors at the National Prep school tournament, and his team has amassed over 500 wins.
When asked about being inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Mr. Bradley, who is more comfortable out of the spotlight, said, “It is really an honor for the whole program and the work of a lot of different people. It is a team effort.” He specifically shouted out his fellow coaches, Dr. Davis, Mr. Sullivan ’07, Mr. Ryan ’17, Mr. Messina, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Leonardis, along with many other members of the coaching staff, for their efforts over the years. Isaac Novod ’27, a member of the program for three years, three-time Graves Kelsey champ, two-time Prep New England Champion, and two-time National Prep School All-American, said, “Mr. Bradley is a great coach who puts his all into Belmont Hill Wrestling. He is very deserving of this honor.” The Panel would like to congratulate Mr. Bradley on his accomplishments.
