Hall of Fame Inductee - Donivan Bradshaw

Only one team in the history of the Quincy High School boys soccer program has brought home a trophy from the state tournament, and the 1995 team’s fourth-place finish was made possible by a highly explosive offensive attack. No one provided more fireworks than Donivan Bradshaw. A senior co-captain on the ’95 team, Bradshaw earned all-state honors and was named team MVP after scoring a single-season school record 45 goals. He finished his 72-game career with 88 goals, 54 assists and 230 points, ranking first all-time in points and second in goals. Bradshaw earned all-sectional and All-Western Big Six Conference honors three consecutive years and was named Quincy’s top offensive player three straight years. He also was named MVP of the 1995 Illinois vs. Iowa All-Star game in which he scored two goals, including the game-winner, in Illinois’ 4-3 victory. He signed a national letter of intent to play Division I soccer at the University of Tulsa, where he was a four-year starter and three-time Western Athletic Conference all-tournament selection. He ranks fifth on Tulsa’s career goals list with 37 and sixth on the career scoring list with 84 points. He twice was named Tulsa’s Offensive Player of the Year, earned NSCAA/Umbro All-Midwest second-team honors in 1997 and was a 1998 preseason All-American selection. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Tulsa in 2000, Bradshaw earned his master’s degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University in 2003. He currently works for IBM in Tulsa as a quality control project manager and is the head varsity boys soccer coach at Bishop Kelley High School, where he guided the team to the state quarterfinals in his first season. He also serves as a professional soccer trainer and coach for the Tulsa Soccer Club, where his U16 girls team has reached the state semifinals the last two seasons. Bradshaw and his wife, Adriane, have two children — a 2-year-old son, Devin, and a 1-year-old daughter, Emerson.

Acceptance Speech

First, I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to play soccer and baseball, in addition to the physical and mental strength to compete at both the high school and college levels. Growing up in Quincy, and having the ability to play the games I loved, is truly one of the most memorable moments of my life. As a kid, I remember looking forward to the day I would be given the opportunity to suit up in a QHS uniform and run out onto the prestigious Flinn Stadium field. I accept this award as an honor to my late grandfather, Delmar J. Bradshaw, who passed away my senior year in high school. Looking back, I realize how special those days were as I recall many memories from our 1995 state team and all of our accomplishments. I would like to thank the QHS Hall of Fame Committee for this honor. I would also like to recognize and thank my QHS teammates, many of whom I played soccer with since the age of four. These are the guys that deserve recognition because without their efforts, dedication and passion, dreams would not have been made. To my parents, David and Paula Bradshaw, thank you for your loving support and structure as you molded me into the man I have become today. You always found a way to ensure I was able to play the sports I loved. To my sisters, Brandy Bradshaw and Brooke Bradshaw Fisher, both from the Class of ‘’99, who spent endless hours helping me train for soccer practices and games. I also want to thank my wife, Adriane, for supporting me through the past seven years as I spend endless hours on a soccer field coaching my one high school and two club soccer teams. Someday, I hope to pass on my passion for the game to both my son, Devin, and daughter, Emerson. To my grandmother, Starr Gold, and my late step-grandfather, William Gold, I thank you for all your never-ending support and encouragement throughout the years. Also in remembrance of my late grandparents, Victor and Norma Jean Porter, for always supporting me and making the long trips to watch my high school and college soccer games. Lastly, I want to thank a few people dear to my heart, which also deserve credit for all their coaching, teaching, support and encouragement over the years. I would like to recognize my club soccer coach, Jay Ray, who inspired me to play the wonderful game of soccer and worked endless hours from the time I was 4 years old until I graduated from high school in teaching me discipline and how to score goals. I also want to thank Matt Longo, my high school coach, for giving me the chance to wear the QHS uniform and for being the coach who helped fine-tune the dynamics of an attacking force that helped our team tally 160 goals during my senior year. And of course I must thank Ron Eaton, my lifelong best friend, for being the person who stood by my side and made life, soccer, baseball and many other childhood games so competitive. His drive and determination forced me to become a better soccer player and friend. In closing, I want to thank everyone who was involved in this nomination to the QHS Hall of Fame, especially the Hall of Fame committee who works so hard to recognize the athletics program at Quincy High School. To all the young kids out there ... grab a soccer ball, baseball, football or anything else that you love ... and hold on to it. With a little hard work and dedication, your dreams can come true!