PEORIA, Ill. — It’s sad news for longtime Bradley Braves men’s basketball fans in Peoria. The University has confirmed the death of legendary former head coach Dick Versace.
The news began spreading through unconfirmed sources early Saturday and was then made official just before the lunch hour when Bradley University athletics issued a news release.
Versace reportedly died at a hospital in Chicago Friday night at the age of 81. His official cause of death remains unknown.
Versace led the Bradley program for eight seasons from 1978 to 1986, leading the Braves to three regular season Missouri Valley Conference titles 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.
Versace is a two-time MVC Coach of the Year. He amassed 156 wins during his time with the Braves, ranking fight in school history.
Bradley University
Many longtime Bradley men’s basketball fans likely recall the legendary 1985-86 season, when the Braves won a school record 32 victories and posted a perfect 16-0 Valley record during regular season play.
Bradley reached as high as ninth in the AP poll that season.
The team reached the 1986 NCAA Tournament, beating No. 20 UTEP in the first round of play before falling to eventual tournament 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.
He then became a sportscaster on TNT and on WMAQ TV in Chicago.
So far, no details about funeral arrangements have been released by family members or other relatives’ or their representatives.
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