With COVID-19 putting live sporting events on hold, the Cascade Collegiate Conference wanted to take the time to highlight families within our #ThisIsTheCCC community. Many of our member institutions have administration, coaches and student-athletes family members competing together, making the CCC truly a family affair.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – When Tiani Bradford first came to Southern Oregon University to play women’s basketball, she had no idea it would some day be a family affair.
Teron and Tiani Bradford
Tiani played all four years for the Raiders, including two with her sister Toria, and now is an assistant coach for the team. This year, she’ll get to coach her other sister Tyra. She’s also gotten the privilege of seeing her brother Teron play for the men’s side for the past two years.
“Growing up I had no idea I would get the luxury of playing college ball with my sister or getting to coach the other one,” said Tiani.
Basketball was a huge part of the Bradfords growing up, so it’s no surprise four of the five siblings went on to play the sport in college – Tiani’s other brother Trevon plays football at Oregon State.
“It was a fun and unique experience,” said Tiani of growing up with her siblings. “We were a big basketball family and were like a little team ourselves with having five of us. It was always super competitive between each other, but at the same time, we were always there to support each other at our different events.”
When Tiani was a junior, Toria transferred to SOU as a sophomore. That year, the two helped the Raiders win the Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament Championship, presented by U.S. Bank, and finish as the NAIA National Champion Runners-Up.
Even with their successes on the court, Tiani’s favorite part of playing with her sister wasn’t while playing.
“There are many favorites, but number one was always having a piece of home away from home,” said Tiani of her favorite part of playing with her sibling. “Sometimes being homesick, it was nice to come home and see your sibling (also your roommate). Like I said, a piece of home.”
The Bradfords take competition to another level – “We compete at more than just sports: uno, cribbage, eating contests, sledding, handstands, who’s mom’s favorite, etc.,” said Tiani – but they are also very supportive of each other and providing that piece of home away from home for each other.