In September, the College of Applied Health Sciences honored the accomplishments and service of Dr. Brad Hedrick, who retired from the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services after 33 years, 19 of them as director.
Dr. Hedrick earned his Ph.D. in the Department of Leisure Studies, now Recreation, Sport and Tourism, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1984. From 1981 to 1995, Dr. Hedrick served as head coach of the University of Illinois’ varsity athletic teams for students with disabilities, as well as an administrator, researcher, and educator within DRES.
He has 40 years of professional experience in the fields of vocational rehabilitation and postsecondary disability support services, and has extensive experience and expertise in the administration of adapted sports and recreation for persons with disabilities. He has coached at the collegiate and international levels, and has authored two books, one book chapter, three monographs, 24 refereed/invited articles, 31 professional articles, and two instructional videotapes on a broad range of scientific and applied topics related to disability, rehabilitation, and adapted sports and recreation. He has also made over 54 presentations at international, national, and regional professional conferences on similar topics.
In 2005, Dr. Hedrick was inducted into the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame for his contributions to the development of wheelchair basketball. In 2006, Dr. Hedrick received the University of Illinois Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award and the College of Applied Health Sciences Academic Professional Excellence Award. He is a recipient of the Tolland Award for Outstanding Achievement in Disability Sports and the Paralyzed Veterans of America Jack Gerhardt Award. He is a past Treasurer of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, and former National Wheelchair Basketball Association Division II Commissioner.
Dr. Hedrick was a member of the Disability Access Committee of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and formerly served as the higher education representative to the Illinois State Advisory Committee on the Education of Children with Disabilities.
Dr. Brad Hedrick with former DRES participant Senator Chuck Graham and DRES founder Dr. Timothy J. Nugent.