Once a Team, Always a Team
Whether on the field or in the face of adversity, Mark Bradley always found a way to rally a team.
Mark grew up playing basketball, golf, and his favorite, baseball. The athlete took his love of the game to the next level, pitching at Ohio University and later transitioning to sports commentary, joining his good friend Johnny Wharff on WMOA radio for many years.
While at OU, Mark crossed paths with Tammi, a lifelong resident of Old Fort, Ohio. It didn’t take long for their love story to ignite and spark a new dynamic duo. Upon graduation, Tammi decided to join Mark in Marietta.
“We met at Ohio University. I fell in love with the hills of Marietta and fell in love with Mark,” revealed Tammi.
At the ages of 25 and 24, Mark and Tammi began their married life together. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Emmie and Gabby, who attended St. Mary Catholic School and later Parkersburg Catholic High School.
While in school, they developed a passion for competitive dancing, which Mark wholeheartedly supported.
Despite dance not being Mark's first choice of sports, he happily attended his daughters' dance performances and referred to their recitals as the "Superbowl of dance." At home, he even added his own flair to their dance moves, doing little leaps and grand jetés across the floor.
Tammi, Emmie, and Gabby affectionately refer to themselves as “the Bradley girls,” a name coined by their friends and family long before Mark’s passing. The Bradley girls are well-known for their strength and resilience.
Recently, Emmie achieved a significant milestone by earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Findlay. Gabby finished her sophomore year at Ohio University, on track to form the next generation of Bradley Bobcat alumni and pursuing a business pathway like her dad. Tammi continues her involvement with St. Mary Catholic School, serving as the marketing director for the institution.
While it was inherently present before, "Team Bradley" officially materialized after Mark's diagnosis, along with the inspirational term "red sucker days."
Three-year-old Braxton Cornett, a special family friend, associated a red Tootsie Pop with good news from the doctor. Soon, the entire town embraced this symbol, and neighbors started wearing t-shirts with "Team Bradley" on the back and "Red Sucker Days" on the front pocket, symbolizing their support and rallying for positive updates.
The Bradley girls were astonished by the overwhelming love and support they received from family, friends, and even strangers.
Mark's funeral services were attended by an overflowing crowd, visitation hours had never-ending lines, and memorial contributions poured into the Foundation. Inspired by this generosity and their desire to continue Mark's legacy, the Bradley girls established the Team Bradley Fund. The fund aims to give back and lift up others, just as Mark did.
While Mark’s battle with cancer has ended, Team Bradley continues to represent a community united by goodwill and perseverance.
This spirit lives on through the Bradley girls and their teammates, and will continue to flow throughout our community forevermore.
This story is an excerpt from our 2022 Annual Report: Ripple Effect. To read more inspiring stories like this, view the full report here.