Meet the Team

Born and raised in from Vermont, Tyner finished his high school career in Kansas. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Ottawa University, where he discovered a campus that felt like home and was a great personal fit. While a student at OU, Tyner served as the vice president of the DECA (business club), which was first started during his tenure. He graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree, with a concentration in entrepreneurship. 

Tyner enjoys traveling the country, watching and participating in sports, listening to music and watching movies. Tyner resides in Ottawa with his wife Laurie and daughter Annelise. The couple is also expecting the arrival of a son is summer.

Advice to Students:
"Take full advantage of college and be open to trying new things. Get out of your comfort zone. Your college experience is only as good as YOU make it!"

Mr. Eric Bradshaw currently serves as the director of music outreach and athletic bands at Ottawa University (Kansas). He received his Bachelor of Science in music education and Master of Music in tuba performance from the University of Alabama.

Bradshaw’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Kansas Music Educators Association, Kansas Bandmasters Association, College Band Directors National Association, and International Tuba Euphonium Association. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and an honorary member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Tau Beta Sigma.

Prior to his current position, Bradshaw served as the director of bands at Topeka High School (Topeka, KS) from 2016-21, director of athletic bands at Valdosta State University (Valdosta, GA) from 2002-16, and taught in the public school system in Carroll County (Georgia) from 1997–2002. Throughout his career, Bradshaw has performed as principal tubist in several regional orchestras, served as a clinician for high school honor bands, and adjudicated high school marching and concert festivals. In 2019-20, he received the “Distinguished Staff Award” for high school teacher from the Topeka Public Schools system and was a district finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year for 2020-21.

Bradshaw’s hobbies and interests include traveling, spending time with family and friends, riding his motorcycle, boating, playing golf, and enjoying good food. He is married to Dr. Melissa Grady (a music professor at the University of Kansas) and has twin sons, Andrew and Ryan, who are graduates of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA).

I grew up in Shawnee, Kansas, and spent five (5) summers working just outside of Ottawa at Camp Chippewa as a counselor. I fell in love with the community of Ottawa and love helping students find their home here!

Advice to Students:
"My best advice for future students is to take advantage of all the clubs and organizations Ottawa has to offer. They’ll provide unique and incredible experiences that will help you grow both personally and professionally."

RECRUITING TERRITORY

COUNTIES of Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harvey, Lyon, Marion, McPherson, Morris, Republic, Saline, Sedgwick, Sumner, and Reno.

STATES of Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri (portion of), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island

At Ottawa University, Casey was a member of the Braves football and golf teams. In addition, he was involved in FCA and served as station manager for the campus radio station.

Casey works  in education because "it gives me the opportunity to help students reach their dream of completing a degree. It also allows me to give back to the University that gave me so many opportunities during my pursuit of a degree at the residential campus."

In his free time, Casey doing radio play-by-play for Ottawa University basketball, baseball and softball, refereeing soccer for the Heartland Soccer Association, and spending time with his wife Tracie, daughter McKenzie (2), and son Graham (5 months). 

Hailing from North Richland Hills, Texas, Casey currently resides in Olathe, Kansas.

RECRUITING TERRITORY

COORDINATOR for all student-athletes for Braves Athletics.

Michael, originally from Independence, Missouri, is a recent graduate of Baker University where he was involved in diversity groups on campus. He majored in sports administration with a minor in business. Michael currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas, and is a huge Chiefs fan. He also is an avid NBA fan and enjoys video gaming, running and blaring his music.

Advice to Students:
"Don't stay in your room/house, get out on campus as much as possible. Pursue any interest you have and join any clubs or activities available. College can be stressful, but it can also be one of the most enjoyable times of your life. Also, GO TO CLASS—no seriously, you need to."

RECRUITING TERRITORY

COUNTIES of Anderson, Anderson, Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Douglas, Franklin, Johnson, Labette, Linn, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho, Osage, Wilson, and Woodson.

STATES of  Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas (west of I-35), Vermont, and Washington.

Mykenna graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in communication studies. While at OU, she enjoyed being part of the Braves softball team. She has used her degree for various marketing and event planning jobs including serving the Kansas City Royals as Sluggerrr's mascot assistant. In her free time, Mykenna enjoys attending baseball games, teaching painting classes, creating digital media for various activities, signing badly to Britney Spears and attending cultural events in Kansas City.

Advice to Students:
"Spend time on campus and in the community to find activities that speak to what you are passionate about. Finding an activity, sports team, or coffee shop in town that speaks to you is the best way to make Ottawa University feel like your home away from home."

"Take advantage of the resources that OU offers. Through using the resources provided to you and discovering what your dreams and passions are; you will begin to start your journey of a life filled with significance."