PEORIA, Ill. -- Last month's auction of the 2007 Bradley Soccer jerseys, the first online auction in Bradley Athletics history, generated more than $3,000 for the Danny Dahlquist Memorial Scholarship Fund, according to Bradley Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs John Searby.
“We are excited about the success of the Soccer Jersey Auction,” said Searby. “Once again, Bradley Soccer fans have shown their enthusiasm for the team and their support of the Danny Dahlquist Fund.”
The extended auction was launched April 19 in conjunction with the 2007 Bradley Soccer Celebration Weekend and ran through May 31. The available jerseys included both the white and red short-sleeved versions, as well as the goalkeeper tops, worn throughout the season by the entire roster. In addition, eight numberless jerseys also were available. Winning bidders have been notified via email and the jerseys will be shipped within 7-10 days.
The 2007 Bradley Soccer season began in tragedy with the Aug. 12 death of redshirt freshman Danny Dahlquist, the eldest son of longtime Bradley University employees Craig and Tricia Dahlquist. The Braves overcame the tragedy on the field and rallied for the most successful season in program history, finishing with a school-record 16 wins, sweeping the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and postseason tournament titles and earning the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament wins en route to the national quarterfinals.
Proceeds generated from the auction, as well as the team's annual postseason banquet in April, general donations and the sale of “Once a Brave, Always a Brave” wrist bands have allowed the University to create an endowment in Danny Dahlquist's name.
Based on the success of the initial online auction, Bradley Athletics is planning to conduct additional auctions through the department's official website, www.BradleyBraves.com, on a more regular basis. A second auction later this month will include items of memorabilia from the 2007-08 Bradley Athletics year.
“We hope Bradley fans will get excited about the opportunity to bid on unique Bradley apparel and gear representing every sport in our upcoming auction,” said Searby.
