Three Staff Promotions

Senior staff members Brad Mitchell, Joe Whitson and Grant Escue all receive promotions

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications General 12/27/2017 9:54:00 AM

PEORIA, IL – As the Braves prepare for the start of a new year, Bradley University Director of Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds has announced a trio of promotions within the Athletics Senior Staff. Brad Mitchell has been elevated to Deputy Director of Athletics, Joe Whitson has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Affairs and former Bradley Baseball player Grant Escue is now Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, Alumni Relations & Strategic Initiatives.

"Bradley Athletics is fortunate to have a talented senior leadership team, offering a diverse set of skills for the benefit of our student-athletes," said Reynolds. "These three promotions are reflective of the efforts Brad, Joe and Grant make to our department on a daily basis and this recognition is in alignment with all they do on behalf of Bradley Athletics."

Brad Mitchell – Beginning his third year as a member of the Bradley Athletics staff, Mitchell is promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics and will continue to oversee much of the day-to-day operations for the Department of Athletics. In his previous position of Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, Mitchell supervised the areas of Athletics Communications, Bradley Sports Properties, Braves Club, Marketing, Creative Productions, Ticket Sales and Event Operations.

In addition to serving as sport administrator for men's basketball, Mitchell has helped negotiate an extension of Bradley University's partnership with Learfield (Bradley Sports Properties), as well as the agreement with the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex to serve as the new home venue for Bradley Softball and training center for many of the school's outdoor teams. He also has directed the school's branding initiative at the Peoria Civic Center, the game day home of the Bradley men's basketball team.

A native of Tremont, IL, Mitchell joined the Bradley Athletics staff in 2015 after previously serving as general manager of Adams Outdoor Advertising in the Peoria and Bloomington areas.

Joe Whitson – Whitson joined the Bradley Athletics staff in 2016 as Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Training Services and as he enters into his third year on The Hilltop his expanded role also includes oversight of the strength and conditioning program, as well as management of the equipment room operations. His vision led to a fundraising drive for the creation of a unique Student-Athlete Recovery Center in Renaissance Coliseum, which will open next month and further enhance the competitive training program for all Bradley student-athletes.

Originally from White House, TN, and now a resident of Mackinaw, IL, Whitson came to Bradley from rival Illinois State, where he worked for 11 years and served in the role as Associate Athletics Trainer responsible for Redbird football in his final 10 years.

Grant Escue – Escue's responsibilities have steadily grown during his four years with the Braves: in addition to his continued role overseeing NCAA compliance, he is the department's primary liaison to the Varsity Club, helping the alumni letterwinners association grow its membership and enhance its fundraising efforts. Moreover, Escue is instrumental in assisting with the execution of the department's strategic initiatives.

As a two-year member of the Bradley Baseball team, Escue was a CoSIDA Academic All-America and Senior Class Award finalist in 2009. The Washington (IL) High School product was a two-time honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference selection – first base in 2008 and outfield in 2009 – who hit .285 in his 95 games for the Braves. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Bradley in 2009, Escue earned his juris doctorate from Saint Louis University in 2013 and briefly served as Assistant AD for Compliance at Lincoln University before returning to his alma mater as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance in 2014.

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