Extended Family

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Extended family: Braves Scholarship Society provides opportunity to get to know athletes The Braves Scholarship Society (BSS) brings together Bradley alumni, friends and members of the Peoria community to support not only Bradley University, but also Bradley athletics. Mark and Vicki Petersen established the BSS in 2002 with a small group of supporters and have since remained greatly involved. The Petersen’s have been enormously helpful in consistently increasing community involvement in the BSS. "I was the first person to get involved in the Bradley Scholarship Society several years ago. I think it's great if you can make a difference in the life of a college athlete, help support the University, and provide a family for an athlete for four years," said Mark Petersen.

Mark and Vicki Petersen with their three girls and Kim Braun '09 (center).

The BSS is comprised of Bradley University alumni and friends of intercollegiate athletics who have chosen to support one of 14 varsity programs.

Over the past several years, the number of supporters has increased exponentially–to nearly 60–and continues to grow.

"Peoria has long been a city that has treasured Bradley and especially Bradley athletes.

The BSS has been a way for those folks to continue to support not only Bradley but also BU athletics at a very high level,” said Rick Gaa, director of athletic development. “This program allows the donors to see, on a daily basis, what a difference their gift makes and how their donation impacts the University and Bradley athletics."

Through membership in this society, donors have the opportunity to personally follow an athlete's growth throughout his or her career as a Bradley Brave. A BSS gift impacts the student-athletes in a substantial manner. Every component of BU athletics is touched by the generous contributions of its members, including student and academic life, competition, facilities and graduation outcomes. "Since the inception of our BSS

program, we have been enabled to greatly enhance the overall services that we can provide on a daily basis to our student-athletes and coaches. Most importantly, we have established tremendous relationships with such wonderful role models as Mark & Vicki Petersen," added Ken Kavanagh, director of athletics.

Based on athletic interests, donors are matched with a student-athlete and they also determine the level of their involvement. Some donors choose to be very involved in getting to know their student-athlete. Others find satisfaction in knowing that they are supporting a student-athlete from a certain region of the country or one who is studying a particular curriculum without frequent interaction. Some simply request to have their gift directed to a varsity program.

The Petersen’s have been partnered with Kim Braun '09, a member of the women's tennis team who studies entrepreneurship and philosophy. "Our first athlete was a volleyball player from our hometown of Kewanee. Now our girls love tennis, so we thought it would be natural for them to have a tennis player as a role model," said Vicki Petersen.

Kim Braun '09

"The Petersen’s support me and care about my success on the court, in the classroom and personally. Very few people are given the opportunity to play the sport they love on a collegiate level. Fortunately, the Petersen’s’ generosity helps provide individuals such as myself that opportunity," said Braun. "It is amazing to me the number of families in the community who are so genuinely supportive of Bradley athletics. I am grateful to the Petersen family, and the many other Braves Scholarship Society families, for the incredible support they provide," she added.

Gifts are accepted from individuals, families and businesses. Gifts can be anonymous, if desired, or can be in memory or in tribute to someone.

The most important benefit of becoming a member of the Braves Scholarship Society is the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to make the Bradley athletics program one of the best in the nation.