A star wide receiver and feared punt returner, Tom Bradley led the River Hawks to a 31-7-1 record from 1989-93. Upon his graduation, Bradley held or had tied 11 school records, all of which stood through the football program's remaining years.
UMass Lowell lost just three games in Bradley's first three seasons and culminated with a 10-1 record in 1991 and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Bradley finished his career with 2,627 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns. Among his many records, he set new highs for passes caught in a season (59) and career (163), longest reception (83 yards) and most yards on punt returns in a season (221).
"Thomas was perhaps the most electrifying game-breaker ever to embrace the gridiron at UMass Lowell," said Dennis Scannell, who served as head coach from 1986-92. "He could singlehandedly turn a contest around whenever he touched a football.
"I was very excited when Thomas and many other all-scholastic players decided to enroll at UMass Lowell," Scannell added. "His class was the beginning of a very special era for the football program."
A recipient of numerous individual honors, Bradley was a two-time New England Football Conference All-Star and a Football Gazette All-American Honorable Mention in 1991.
When the River Hawks moved to the Freedom Football Conference during his senior year, Bradley proceeded to lead the league in receptions per game (6.6), total receptions (59), receiving yards (893) and receiving touchdowns (5). He was honored as a FFC First Team All-Star.
"Thomas's entire family, especially his grandmother, led an entourage of the most loyal and enthusiastic fans who attended every game," Scannell added. "It is most rewarding that he has spent his entire adult life as a role model for youth involved with athletics in his hometown of Tewksbury."
Bradley completed his degree in history in 1998 and is currently a captain with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department. He and his wife Alison live in Tewksbury, Mass. with their four children: Lindsay, Rachel, Thomas, and Timmy.
