Illini basketball enthusiasts in 2024 hold a deep appreciation for Brad Underwood's remarkable success as Illinois' coach. With three Big Ten championships in the past four years and an astounding 76 wins against conference teams over the last five, he stands out. Additionally, seven of his players have earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors under his guidance. But what about his own athletic journey as a high school and college player? On his 61st birthday, and as his Illini face the nation's top-ranked team, today's Illini Legends, Lists & Lore delves into newspaper clippings to uncover some facts that News-Gazette readers might not be aware of. Uncover the Hidden Athletic Past of Brad Underwood
1980: The Early Days of a Sports Star
In 1980, Warren and Jan Underwood's son and T.J. and Shari's oldest brother emerged as a budding football and basketball star for the Bullpups of McPherson High School in central Kansas. During that September, 16-year-old Bradley played a crucial role in his football team's victory over Wichita's Campus High. By recovering a fumble, intercepting a pass, and kicking a fourth-quarter, school-record 50-yard field goal, he led his team to a 17-14 win. This early display of athletic prowess set the stage for his future success.His basketball skills also began to shine during this time. He showed a natural ability to score and was already making a name for himself on the court.
1981: The Junior Scoring Sensation
As a junior, Underwood led the Ark Valley Conference in scoring. He tallied 30 points or more on multiple occasions under the guidance of coach Jay Frazier. Frazier had high praise for him, stating, "He can score from 20 feet, and inside, he's one of the toughest kids in our league." This consistent scoring ability showcased his talent and determination on the basketball court.His scoring prowess continued to grow, and he became a dominant force in his conference.
1982: Conference MVP and All-Area Team
After leading the conference in scoring for the second time, averaging 25 points per game, Underwood was named the most valuable player of his conference. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on The Salina (Kan.) Journal's All-Area Boys Team. In April 1982, he signed with Hardin-Simmons University in Texas, marking a significant milestone in his athletic career.This recognition solidified his status as a top athlete and opened doors to new opportunities.
1983: The College Transition Begins
As a freshman guard at Hardin-Simmons University, coach Jim Hatfield's Cowboys struggled with a 3-25 win-loss record. Underwood averaged 6.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in his rookie season. Although the team faced challenges, Underwood's individual performance showed promise.Later that year, he made the decision to transfer to Independence Community College in Kansas, where he would continue to develop his skills.
1984: The Junior College Championship Run
Underwood played a crucial role in helping coach Bob Kivisto's Independence Pirates make a deep run in the National Junior College Athletic Association basketball tournament. His 30-point effort, including making 13 of 16 field goals, lifted ICC in a first-round game against Northeastern Colorado. The Pirates assembled a remarkable 30-9 record and reached the NJCAA's championship game, where they unfortunately lost to San Jacinto (Texas).During this season, he averaged 15 points per game and shot an impressive 51 percent from the field. His performance in the Jayhawk Conference All-Star game was also notable, as his two free throws with seven seconds remaining led the East to a 108-107 victory against the West.
1985: The Kansas State Debut
In his first season at Kansas State, Underwood appeared in 19 games, averaging just over seven minutes per game. His personal-best game came in a loss to Kansas when he scored a collegiate career-best 15 points. Coach Jack Hartman was impressed with his performance, stating, "Brad showed us a lot of toughness, desire, and shooting ability." The Wildcats finished the year with a 14-14 overall record.This initial experience at Kansas State laid the foundation for his future coaching career.
1986: The Senior Season at Kansas State
As a senior at Kansas State, Underwood started in seven games and averaged 15 minutes per game for the 16-14 Wildcats. His contributions on the court were significant, and he earned his bachelor's degree in radio and television communications in December 1986.This academic achievement added another dimension to his life and set him on a path towards a successful coaching career.
1987: Life After College
Just like his father before him, Underwood initially sold insurance. In August 1987, 23-year-old Brad Underwood married Susan Price in Salina, Kan. The Kansas State graduates honeymooned in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (Four months ago, they celebrated their 37th anniversary.) His first coaching job was leading Hardin-Simmons' cross-country program and also serving as a graduate assistant for the basketball program. His compensation at Hardin-Simmons was 0 per month, and their apartment rent was 9, so Susan worked as a cashier at J.C. Penney.This period marked a transition in his life as he started to build his coaching career.
1988-89: The Dodge City Coaching Stint
Underwood began a four-season stint with the Dodge City (Kan.) Community College Conquistadors in the fall of 1988. During this time, he accumulated an overall record of 57-63. A 2021 Chicago Tribune profile revealed that his job description also included scanning bar codes on electrical equipment in academic buildings.This diverse experience added to his coaching resume and showed his versatility.Illini BirthdaysSaturday: Al Martindale, athletics trainer (74)Sunday:Gus Palma, football (56)Monday:Alex Petrov, tennis (23)Tuesday:Ray Redziniak, football (46)Wednesday:Kailee Powell, softballThursday:Xavier Scott, football (22)Friday:Gene Cross, basketball (53)By Mike Pearson, author of Illinois Legends, Lists & Lore (Third Edition available online). Get more Illini birthdays, trivia and historical tidbits daily on X at IlliniLegends and on Facebook at SportsLegendsListsLore. His websites are www.SportsLLL.com and www.IlliniPosters.com.
