Former Bradley coach Dick Versace has died at age 81

Dick Versace, who led the Bradley Braves to two NCAA Tournaments and three MVC titles as their head coach (1978-86), passed away on Friday. He was 81.

Versace was 156-88 during his tenure as head coach and was named Missouri Valley COY in both 1980 and 1986. He left Bradley for the NBA in 1987 and became the first-ever NBA head coach of Puerto Rican descent when he took over the Indiana Pacers the following year.

His 156 wins are the fifth-most in program history and he is the only Bradley head coach with multiple conference titles and NCAA appearances.

credit to Bradley Athletics for the image