Indians Football Team to be Welcomed to Charleston by Familiar Face in Charleston CVB Head Tim Brady
By Jeff Toquinto on December 12, 2024
When Bridgeport High School’s football team arrives at Laidley Field in Charleston Saturday to battle for a Class AAA state championship, they will be heading back to a familiar place.
The Indians have won two of their titles at Laidley Field. The first in 1979 and the second in 1986. Laidley Field, which is now University of Charleston at Laidley Field, last hosted the football championships in roughly 30 years ago in 1994.
BHS will also be greeted by a familiar face. Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Tim Brady will be on hand for 
all four games being hosted in the capital city Friday and Saturday.
all four games being hosted in the capital city Friday and Saturday.
Brady led the CVB in Bridgeport for several years before taking a position in Charleston and eventually taking over its leadership position. With Charleston winning the right to host the state football championship after decades of it being in Wheeling, Brady is looking forward to making it a memorable experience – and not just for Bridgeport.
“We want these kids, these teams, to feel like this is a bowl game,” said Brady. “When they arrive, their lockers are going to be set up with shined shoes, shined helmets, and a special championship game sticker. That bowl experience is what we’re aiming for. Basically, upon arrival we want them to know that their arrival is special because it is.”
Brady said for teams arriving early there will be different activities available throughout Charleston. There will also be team meals.
“If the team is here for the weekend, we want the entire weekend to be memorable,” said Brady.
Brady said it would be dishonest to say he is not excited for Bridgeport to be making an appearance, and it goes much deeper than his time with city’s CVB. For years, Brady served as the color analyst for the Indians Radio Network working beside Travis Jones and fellow analyst Ryan Nicewarner.
“Sure, I’m excited. It’s going to be fun to be out on the field and it’s going to be fun seeing Travis after so many years of calling games with him as well as Ryan,” he said. “You build some strong bonds over that time.”
There is one thing, however, he is most looking forward to. And that is a chance to see a member of the Bridgeport coaching staff.
“To be very candid, I’m thrilled to be able to walk on the field and shake (Coach) John Cole’s hand and welcome him to Charleston,” said Brady. “I spent years interviewing him to do the scouting report for the radio show and we spent a lot of time talking about football and so many other things. He’s as good a person as he is a coach. I have a lot of respect for Coach Cole.”
Brady joked about being hush-hush about his affiliation with Bridgeport. After all, the Indians’ opponent is from Kanawha County.
“I’m trying to keep those Bridgeport ties under wraps because I don’t want to upset the Hoover folks,” Brady said with a laugh. “In all seriousness, we’re going to make this a great experience at Laidley for everyone.”
One concern voiced once Charleston won the football championship back was parking. Brady said the only real concern will be the noon game involving Class A No. 4 Cameron against No. 3 Wahama.
“If we get through Friday at noon, we should be fine,” said Brady. “We’re also going to be doing everything we can to make sure that is as good as it can possibly be as well.”
Brady said the state capital will be allowing use of an abundance of parking adjacent to the Laidley Field parking lot. He said they have also worked with local businesses and organizations to make as much parking available as possible.
“We also have full cooperation from the Charleston Police Department and the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department to assist with traffic control and get people to the correct areas,” said Brady. “We’re going to do our best for everyone arriving Friday and Saturday.”
Bridgeport (13-0) will face Herbert Hoover (13-0) Saturday at noon. The Indians are the No. 3 seed and HHHS comes in as the No. 4 seed.
Along with the BHS-Herbert Hoover game Saturday and Friday's Class A game, Charleston will also host Class AA No. 2 Roane County (13-0) and No. 1 Frankfort (13-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Then, on Satruday, the Class AAAA title games featuring No. 2 Spring Mills (12-1) and No. 1 Martinsburg (12-1) begins at 7 p.m.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tim Brady working the sidelines at the 2013 Class AA state championship game in Wheeling, while he is shown with his old radio partners, from left, Travis Jones and Ryan Nicewarner.
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