4/8/2025
For 38 years, Don Bradley has guided Belmont Hill’s wrestling program with integrity and hard work. In recognition of his unwavering commitment to the sport, his wrestlers, and the pursuit of excellence, Mr. Bradley was inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in a ceremony held on April 5, 2025.
Joining the School in 1987, Mr. Bradley embraced the challenge of building a distinguished wrestling program at Belmont Hill. Over the course of his career as head coach, Belmont Hill wrestlers have won six New England Championships, 20 ISL Dual Meet Championships, and 18 Graves-Kelsey Tournament Team Championships.
The program’s success has extended beyond the New England region. At the National Preps, Belmont Hill wrestlers have earned All-American honors 27 times and three of those wrestlers were crowned national champions.
George Sullivan ‘07 has had the opportunity to work with Mr. Bradley as a Belmont Hill wrestler and now as one of his assistant coaches. “Don is, in so many ways, the heart of this program,” Mr. Sullivan said. “Nobody cares more about the team collectively and our wrestlers individually, and nobody is more proud of all that we've accomplished. Yet, he's never satisfied, at least in part because every year, we get a new crop of boys with new goals and aspirations.”
Mr. Sullivan knows first hand how the coaching the boys receive from Mr. Bradley on the mat stays with them beyond their time at Belmont Hill. “Our boys gravitate to him because he demands nothing less than their absolute best while instilling an unshakable belief and confidence in themselves, which is a gift that they'll have with them for the rest of their lives.”
Assistant Coach David Leonardis has worked with Mr. Bradley for 17 years and admires his dedication and organization. “When Coach Bradley is in your corner, you have an advantage,” Mr. Leonardis shared. “He enjoys winning but he enjoys the process and the relationships even more.”
Mr. Leonardis believes that Mr. Bradley’s approach is what has sustained the program’s success for nearly four decades. “He is old-school, but he has a fantastic growth mindset, allowing the program to develop and the other adults to find important roles.”
While the results on the mat speak for themself, Assistant Coach Steven Kaplan ‘83 reflected on how the defining trait of Mr. Bradley’s legacy might be his ability to build relationships with the boys. “As is typical with great coaches and strong programs, success breeds success when coupled with a clear vision and a supportive environment. Don always told the boys that what they were doing was hard and hard work would pay off.
“In my 15-year run helping Don administer his program, I learned that his care for the boys was his defining mark,” Mr. Kaplan said. “Graduates from his earliest teams stay in touch and express incredible gratitude.”
That sentiment of gratitude is shared by the entire Belmont Hill community, both for all the incredible work Mr. Bradley has done for School and for the time, diligence, and care he will undoubtedly continue to bring to campus each day.
Photo Credit: Amy Hirsch
