Eight-year-old Bradley is a competitor like his heroes on the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. But while the Buckeyes battle Big Ten teams and non-conference foes, Bradley battles a life-threatening illness.

From their first visit, volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Ohio and Kentucky could tell Bradley was a Buckeyes fan. Showing his devotion to The Ohio State University (OSU), Bradley wished to go to the 2003 Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., and cheer his favorite team on to victory, even though OSU had not been invited yet. Since the Fiesta Bowl, which is held at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, would determine the season’s national champion, Bradley was confident he would see his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes there.

The Buckeyes made Bradley look like a prophet by finishing the regular season undefeated at 13-0 with a number-two ranking behind the top-ranked team in the nation, the University of Miami Hurricanes. Ohio State and Miami were invited to play in the Fiesta Bowl, with the winner declared national champion. The ingredients for Bradley’s wish were now in place.

Bradley’s wish experience began by getting picked up, along with his mother and soon-to-be stepfather, in a white stretch limo and taken to Port Columbus International Airport. While they waited for their flight to Arizona, well-wishers gave the boy a send-off party with cake, pizza, and balloons.

The family flew to Arizona and checked into their hotel for a four-night stay. To keep them active, wish granters put together a sports lover’s itinerary. Bradley and his parents attended a Phoenix Suns basketball game and the National Championship Pep Rally, held just a few blocks from the site of the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe Beach Park. The pep rally included the teams’ coaches, players, marching bands, and cheer squads, and a free concert. During the rally, the little Bucks fan met his favorite players and coaches backstage.

Finally, January 3, 2003, arrived – the day of the championship showdown. The three Ohio natives traveled to Sun Devil Stadium and took their seats dressed in OSU hats, shirts, and beads. Bradley even sported the school’s logo on his cheek.

The national title game was one of the most exciting matchups in years, with the two teams taking a 17-17 tie into overtime. Finally, Ohio State pulled off a 31-24 double-overtime victory. With the win, the Buckeyes capped off a magical season filled with a Big Ten Conference championship, the national title, an untarnished 14-0 record, and the perfect ending to their number-one fan’s wish.