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Mike Chianakas, a terrific athlete who played basketball and football at Bradley in the late 1940's through 1950 has passed away.
Mike was born in Pontiac, IL, and came to Bradley from Eureka HS where he won 16 athletic letters in basketball, football, baseball, and track. After a stint in the Navy during World War II, he attended Bradley from 1946-1950. He was a teammate of Squeaky Melchiorre and the others on the 1949-50 team that reached the NCAA and NIT National Championship games and brought Bradley great national fame. He was awarded10 athletic letters - 4 in track, 4 in basketball and 2 in football- in his BU career. After his Bradley career, Mike remained active in coaching and volunteer youth work as well as Little League for many years in the Peoria area.
Mike was inducted into the Bradley Hall of Fame in 1971-
And he was also inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports HOF-
Mike played before my time at Bradley, so if anyone can add some history or stories, please do so.
Mike was born in Pontiac, IL, and came to Bradley from Eureka HS where he won 16 athletic letters in basketball, football, baseball, and track. After a stint in the Navy during World War II, he attended Bradley from 1946-1950. He was a teammate of Squeaky Melchiorre and the others on the 1949-50 team that reached the NCAA and NIT National Championship games and brought Bradley great national fame. He was awarded10 athletic letters - 4 in track, 4 in basketball and 2 in football- in his BU career. After his Bradley career, Mike remained active in coaching and volunteer youth work as well as Little League for many years in the Peoria area.
Mike was inducted into the Bradley Hall of Fame in 1971-
And he was also inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports HOF-
Mike played before my time at Bradley, so if anyone can add some history or stories, please do so.
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