December 14, 2023
Linda Blaser
Athletics honors student national anthem singer
Athletics honored Bradley Wilinski ’23 for his dedication in singing the national anthem nearly 100 times at Forester home games on what was the December graduate's last pre-competition performance while a student at the College.
Vice President for Athletics and Career Advancement Jackie Slaats and Director of Athletics Nicki Pieart joined Wilinski and his parents on court to present him with a gift from the Athletics Department prior to the Forester men’s basketball game on December 6.
Wilinski said he felt “honored” that the College took the time to recognize his work, willingness, and commitment to Forester athletics through his pre-competition performances.
“I found it really rewarding,” Wilinski said of his role as the College’s official national anthem singer. “It felt like I was doing something special to just initiate the game of whatever sport was being played. I just really enjoyed it.”
He began singing as a child in grammar school to help with his Tourette’s tics (he was Illinois' Tourette's youth ambassador as a teen) and because he was prohibited from participating in most sports. Born with a heart defect and suffering a stroke, Wilinski underwent open heart surgery at birth. Last fall, Wilinski was reminded of his surgery when he met a choir classmate who is the son of the same pediatric heart surgeon who saved his life 23 years ago at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago (now Lurie’s Children’s Hospital).
During his time at the College, he has been a member of the concert choir and West African Drumming. He has also volunteered at the Forester Day of Service and Feed My Starving Children. After graduation, he plans to begin a career that enables him to advocate for people with special needs in a public service or recreational field.