Bradley University Athletics

Two-Time Valley Coach of the Year, Dick Versace Passes Away

Men's Basketball 2/26/2022 11:00:00 AM

One of Bradley basketball's most successful head coaches, Dick Versace passed away at the age of 81 on Friday.

Versace led the Bradley program for eight seasons from 1978 to 1986. During his tenure, the Braves would claim three regular-season Missouri Valley Conference Championships in 1980, 1982 and 1986, two Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1980 and 1986 and the program's fourth NIT Championship in 1982.

A two-time MVC Coach of the Year, Versace amassed 156 wins during his eight seasons leading the Braves – ranking fifth in school history. He had an immediate impact on campus as he became the first coach in conference history to lead a program from last one season to first the next as the Braves swept the league titles in just his second season in 1980.

Two seasons later, Versace helped the Braves to their second regular-season crown before finishing the campaign with victories over Oklahoma and Purdue to win the NIT Championship. Versace's most successful campaign came in 1985-86 when the Braves reached as high as ninth in the AP poll, matched a school record with 32 victories and posted a perfect 16-0 Valley record during regular-season play. Bradley defeated No. 20 UTEP in the first round of the 1986 NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual champion Louisville two days later.

Versace would join the NBA following his tenure with the Braves, serving as head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1988 to 1990.

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