Nuxhall Foundation gets its first paid executive director

FAIRFIELD – For years Tyler Bradshaw sat in his backyard listening to Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall broadcast Cincinnati Reds games on his Sony boom box.

On July 1, the 2005 Fairfield High School graduate will begin his new job as executive director of The Nuxhall Foundation – the organization’s first full-time employee.

He joins Nuxhall’s son, Kim, the organization’s volunteer chief executive officer and president, in directing the day-to-day operations of the foundation.

“It’s the job of a lifetime. I’ll be sitting with a Marty and Joe bobblehead on my desk,’’ Bradshaw said.

“I’m a very spiritual person. God’s been shifting my path here and there to make this happen.”

Among the foundation’s projects are the Miracle League Fields and league which provide an accessible baseball and recreational facility for players with disabilities, the Joe Nuxhall Memorial Scholarships, and the Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund.

Bradshaw is no stranger to the organization or its work. Six years ago Bradshaw joined the board of directors for the Miracle League Fields; two years ago he became an inaugural member of the foundation’s board of directors.

Last year Bradshaw co-led the COVID Can’t campaign, raising $175,000 to support the Miracle League fields. He also spent nine years broadcasting the Hamilton Joes summer collegiate baseball team named for Joe Nuxhall.

“We have truly ‘struck gold’ with the addition of Tyler Bradshaw. I just can’t think of a better person to share in carrying the legacy torch that dad has passed down,” said Kim Nuxhall.

“His outstanding character and competence along with his unique ability to articulate all facets of the Nuxhall Foundation give us a high level of confidence in our future.”

Bradshaw said his initial priorities are updating the organization's mission and vision plans, returning to in-person events, organizing the fall Miracle Ball fundraiser and finalizing the creation of a Miracle League mascot.

Bradshaw said he would also begin work on the foundation’s next project – constructing a year-round athletic facility for special needs athletes that would also contain a Hall of Fame, adaptive recreation space, fitness space, a rock wall and other amenities.

Bradshaw said he wants to make sure people know the story of Joe Nuxhall – both as a Reds player and broadcaster – and what kind of person he was.

“The game plan is simple. In everything we do, we are going to make sure that future generations know who Joe Nuxhall was, what he stood for, and why his story is important,” Bradshaw said.

Nuxhall’s broadcasting partner of 30-plus years, Marty Brennaman, said Bradshaw was the right person for the job.

“Considering his background and the success he has enjoyed at every level would indicate, without a doubt, Tyler Bradshaw will be an overwhelming success to a foundation that is very near to my heart. I am looking forward to big things on the horizon,” Brennaman said.

For the past 10 years Bradshaw has worked in Miami University’s admissions office, most recently as the associate director of admission. He holds his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Miami and is working on his doctoral there.

He and wife, Paige have a son, Jackson.