Brad Platt
Brad Platt
  • Title:
    Football
  • Year Inducted:
    2014
  • Transfer/Graduation Date:
    1986

Bio

Brad Platt, an outstanding all-around athlete, attended Hilltop High School from 1983-1985 and participated in football, basketball, and baseball. Gifted and incredibly competitive, he earned Metro All-League honors in all three sports and was a member of the Lancers 1985 Baseball CIF Championship Team.

After graduation, he enrolled at Southwestern College in 1985 and decided to play football exclusively. However, other quarterbacks from other programs had the same idea. He and seven other quarterbacks descended on SWC’s practice field hoping to become the starter. Ranked four of the seven prospects, Brad waited for his opportunity. It came during the fifth fame of the season at home vs. Orange Coast College with a losing score of 10-27. Head Coach Bob Mears announced Brad was starting the 2nd half of the game. The final score of the game was SWC 30 and OC 27. This is one of Brad’s favorite memories and reflects his ambition and drive to meet any goal he has set throughout his career.

Brad immediately became the starting quarterback for the next 17 games over the next two seasons, setting multiple records that still hold when comparing SWC’s quarterbacks’ all-time statistics. He currently ranks 2nd in Most Passing Completions (31)/Game, Most Passing Completions (279)/Career, and Yard Passing (4,028)/Career. He also ranks 4th in Most Yards Passing (3,545)/Season and Most TD Passes (23)/ Season and (30)/Career. As a result, Brad was selected First Team Mission Conference, First Team All-State, and Honorable Mention All-American. He then accepted a full scholarship to NCAA Division I San Diego State University where he was the starting quarterback for two seasons. In 1990, Brad’s passion for fitness and health fueled his quest for a career. He studied and obtained fitness certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and the American College in Sports Medicine. He started his own business, Platt’s Personal Training, and in a very short time, found he had to hire other employees to meet the demands of his clientele. After obtaining his Massage Therapy License, he opened a specialized business in 1996 that provided training, massage therapy, and tanning. Concurrently, Brad returned to SDSU to complete his education, and in 2004 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. In 2006 he obtained a Master’s of Science in education with an emphasis in physical education from Azusa Pacific, sold his business, and was immediately hired as an adjunct health and exercise science professor at Southwestern College.

Over the next four years, Brad taught exercise science classes and also assisted Head Football Coach Jan Chapman and Head Basketball Coach John Cosentino for individual Seasons. However, he found that he loved the classroom and he loved challenging students, so he began to teach science-based courses for the Fitness Certification Program: Applied Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Weight Training Techniques as well as fitness classes. He also taught classes at Miramar, Cuyamaca, and University of Phoenix. Again Brad set a goal, worked diligently and waited for an opportunity. Faculty teased Brad that he worked more hours than full0time faculty and asked if he lived at the college. And again Brad was rewarded for his hard work, teaching skill and commitment. In 2010, he was hired full time as Exercise Science Assistant Professor and Fitness Certification Coordinator from a large pool of qualified candidates.

Over the past four years, Brad has become an invaluable asset to the School of Health, Exercise Science, Athletics and Applied Technology (HESA). He has served as Chair of the Dean’s Advisory Committee, as a member of the Curriculum Sub-Committee for Graduation Requirements and on the Selection Committee for the Adapted Physical Education position. He has contributed to developing and revising curriculum to meet new education standards as well as participating in the program review process. Brad also directs the Fitness Certification Internship Program, and he has established SWC as a testing site for the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E), adopting and implementing A.C.E. curriculum to increase student retention and success.

Brad commends his parents, Russell and Del Platt, for the many years of unwavering support and his brother, Russel Jr., Bruce, and Doug for the competitive sibling rivalry in the family. He especially wants to acknowledge his wife, Jessica, and his daughters McKenna, Katelyn, and Ella for enriching his life, as well as for putting up with him.

Brad Platt, for you outstanding achievements as a student athlete and for your many contributions as a health and fitness professor, we induct you into Southwestern College’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2014. Congratulations!