Back On The Hilltop
? Chuck Buescher is in his second year as an assistant on Jim Les’ Bradley Basketball staff, but he is anything but a rookie coach for the Braves.
? Prior to his legendary career as the head coach at Peoria High School, Buescher was Joe Stowell’s top assistant at Bradley from 1971 to 1978 and remained on Dick Versace’s staff for the 1978-79 campaign.
? Including those first eight years as in assistant in the 1970s, Buescher is actually beginning his 10th year as a Bradley Basketball assistant coach.
? Buescher’s connection to Bradley University dates back to his undergraduate days, when he played both baseball and basketball for the Braves from 1963 to 1967.
? Graduated from Bradley in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
Coaching Achievements
? In between his stints as a Bradley assistant coach, Buescher directed the Peoria (Central) High School boys basketball team to a 528-184 (.742) record from 1979 through 2004.
? After earning state runner-up finishes in 1983 and 1989, Buescher ended his high school coaching career by leading the Lions to back-to-back Illinois High School Association “AA” state championships in 2003 and 2004.
? In his 25 seasons at Central, Buescher coached the Lions to 21 regional titles, including 18 in a row to end his career.
? In his first season as a high school head coach, Buescher led nearby Washington High School to a 16-10 record.
? During his first run as a Bradley assistant, the Braves made one postseason appearance by going 1-1 in the 1974 Commissioner’s Classic in St. Louis.
? In addition to his basketball work, Buescher was the 12th head coach in Bradley Baseball history, directing the Braves to a 127-136-1 record on the diamond from 1973 through 1979.
Prominent Pupils
? A.J. Guyton (Indiana), Bulls, Europe
? Mike Hughes (Nebraska, UW-Milwaukee)
? Shaun Livingston, L.A. Clippers
? Chris Reynolds (Indiana)
? Daniel Ruffin (Bradley junior point guard)
? Beau Smith (Louisville)
? Marcellus Sommerville (Bradley), Europe
? Charles White (Bradley)
? Tony Wysinger (Illinois), ICC Head Coach
Two-Sport Letterman
? Buescher was a three-year, two-sport letterman as a student at Bradley, playing both baseball and basketball from 1963 through 1967.
? After playing on an undefeated freshman basketball team during the 1963-64 season, the same year the varsity Braves won their third NIT championship, the 6-foot-3 went on to earn his basketball letters the next three seasons.
? The 1964-65 Braves qualified for the National Invitation Tournament and the 1965-66 squad produced a 20-win season (20-6).
? Averaged 2.5 points and 1.0 rebound during his varsity career.
? On the diamond, Buescher was a three-year starter on the left side of the Braves infield.
? Hit hit .240 with 19 runs batted in and seven doubles in 53 games.
The Chuck Buescher File
Birthdate: April 6, 1945
Hometown: East Peoria, Ill.
High School: East Peoria H.S.
Family: wife, Barbara; daughters, Anne Marie and Jennifer; son, Eric
Coaching History
2005-present Bradley University
Basketball Assistant Coach
1979-2004 Peoria (Central) High School
Boys Basketball Head Coach
1973-79 Bradley University
Baseball Head Coach
1971-79 Bradley University
Basketball Assistant Coach
1970-71 Washington (Ill.) High School
Boys Basketball Head Coach
1967-70 Peoria Manual High School
Boys Basketball Assistant Coach
High School Records
Peoria High School 528-184 (.742)
Washington High School 16-10 (.615)
26-Year Career Total 544-194 (.737)
IHSA “AA” State Championships 2
2003, 2004
IHSA Regional Championships 21 (18 in a row)
1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
