Don Bradford Honored with the Wm. Thayer Tutt Award for His Longstanding Contributions to Youth Hockey Development in Wisconsin

Few people have had a more significant influence on grassroots hockey in Wisconsin than Don Bradford.

For almost five decades, Bradford has held various leadership roles across the state. However, his enthusiasm has consistently focused on the Learn to Skate initiative and encouraging more children to engage in the sport.

In recognition of his dedication to expanding the game, Bradford is this year’s honoree of the Wm. Thayer Tutt Award, which is presented annually by USA Hockey to a volunteer who has shown unwavering commitment to the advancement of ice hockey at the grassroots level in the United States over many years. Bradford will receive this honor at the USA Hockey President’s Awards Dinner on June 5 in Denver.

“It’s a tremendous honor and quite humbling,” Bradford remarked. “I had no knowledge that my name was even put forward, or that letters of recommendation were submitted. It’s a moment that truly takes your breath away and brings tears to your eyes.”

The Wm. Thayer Tutt Award represents the highest volunteer accolade given by USA Hockey each year. It is named in memory of the late Wm. Thayer Tutt, who served as president of USA Hockey from 1972 to 1986.

“This is incredible and certainly reflects on someone like him who does all of this without seeking recognition,” said Don’s son, Andy Bradford. “He prefers to stay out of the limelight. He enjoys working behind the scenes, so this recognition is somewhat outside his comfort zone, but it’s very well deserved and humbling.”

Don Bradford has played a crucial role in assisting families with equipment costs, which is one of the sport’s major obstacles. Over the past four years, he has helped secure more than $500,000 in funding and has led an initiative that provides free 8U equipment sets to associations throughout Wisconsin.

For the last four years, Bradford has personally managed the procurement, organization, and distribution of 300 equipment sets each year. He also advocated for the establishment of 30 annual $1,000 “Grow Hockey” grants for the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) and facilitated the distribution of 127 pairs of skates last year alone.

“It’s all gratifying when you see young children, and you observe the families who might not have been able to afford the equipment, or who wouldn’t have participated if they hadn’t had access to it,” Bradford stated.

Bradford has a friend with a large storage facility where all the gear is sent. He has assisted in distributing over 2,000 sets of equipment and 1,200 pairs of skates in the past five years. Bradford meticulously sorts each piece of equipment by hand to ensure that every bag contains a complete set.

“Kids can come to the rink without the burden of purchasing equipment,” noted Fran Finco, president of WAHA. “Don’s philosophy is straightforward yet impactful: If we eliminate the barriers to entry, more children will experience the joy of hockey.”

Bradford also acquired a trailer and 50 sets of equipment for $75,000, with assistance from the Scott and Mary Turner Foundation and other contributors, which can be transported to locations across the state that wish to host Try Hockey for Free events.

Bradford aims to create an endowment for the Learn to Skate program to make it entirely free. He seeks to secure approximately $100,000, ensuring that in the next 10 to 15 years, WAHA will not need to subsidize its Learn to Skate program.

“I want the kids to get involved,” Bradford expressed. “If the kids enjoy it, they will continue. However, it’s challenging for families who have never participated to try hockey due to the high cost of equipment.”

Nearly a decade ago, girls’ hockey participation was virtually nonexistent in Onalaska, Wisconsin. Collaborating with Guy Gosselin, a two-time Olympian who was then the regional manager of the American Development Model, Bradford helped organize a Learn to Skate and Learn to Play weekend that introduced 175 girls aged 4-14 to the sport.

Bradford traveled over two hours and stayed overnight to personally lead the on-ice instruction, ensuring the program’s success. Since then, three local associations have established girls-only hockey programs, and participation continues to increase each season.

“We’re fortunate to have someone like Don on our board,” Finco remarked. “He’s a builder, and for the past 15 years or so, he’s been focused on developing that younger demographic because he understands its importance.”

Bradford has contributed to a 25% increase in participation in Wisconsin over the last decade, which includes an 80% rise at the 6U level.

He stated that he enjoys working with younger players because he believes they are the most receptive to coaching and genuinely eager to learn the game.

“He relishes the chance to engage with kids at that initial stage and guide them from having no experience to being able to skate and remain involved in the sport,” Andy Bradford noted. “That’s what truly motivates him, witnessing a child begin in learn to skate and then continue on with it.”

A native of Eagle River, Bradford was inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. He assisted his high school team in winning the state championship in 1964 before playing at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

When Bradford first began coaching at Wausau West High School in 1975, many of his players lacked youth hockey experience. Thus, in 1978, he concentrated on attracting players at the Learn to Skate levels.

Bradford has been a member of WAHA as a Region 2 Board of Director each year—except for a two-year break—since 1985. He designed the current logo, directed the 8U state tournament, coordinated player development, and compiled the organization’s booklet.

Bradford also served as a youth hockey coach, board member, and president for Marathon County from 1980 to 1999. He was instrumental in collaborating with the Marathon County Park Department and the city of Wausau to successfully build a second ice rink at Marathon Park in 1985, as he literally helped construct the rink himself.

“Not many kids have childhood memories of building a hockey rink,” Andy Bradford said. “That was a unique experience for us.”

The person who made it all possible, according to Don Bradford, is his wife Luanne, who has supported his passion for nearly 50 years. The couple will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary on June 7.

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.