The Yavapai College Athletics Department has announced the resignation of Hall of Fame Director of Athletics Brad Clifford. Clifford leaves YC after spending 35-plus years at the college.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for my time as a Roughrider,” said Clifford. “I bleed green and gold and Yavapai will always have a special place in my heart. This is the correct move for me, personally and professionally, however, YC will always receive my unwavering support in all endeavors.”

Clifford’s journey at YC began back in the late 80’s. After graduating from Prescott High School, Clifford embarked on a two-year LDS mission in Quito, Ecuador, and returned to Prescott upon completion of his mission to be a student at Yavapai College.

At the time, the men’s basketball team had been reinstated and Clifford joined the team to continue his playing career. After a back injury sidelined Clifford’s playing career, Clifford found his calling, and first job at YC, when the women’s basketball coach asked him to be the assistant coach.

Clifford accepted and served as an assistant coach for the men’s and women’s basketball teams until he earned the head women’s basketball coach job in 1996.

Clifford would go on to coach the Roughriders for 15 years, building an overall record of 323-143, becoming the all-time winningest basketball coach in YC history and earning WBCA Region I Coach of the Year honors twice.

Overall, Clifford coached 58 All-Conference players, 11 WBCA Kodak All-Americans, six NJCAA All-Americans, three ACCAC freshmen of the year and three ACCAC players of the year.

After his coaching career came to a close, Clifford was named the assistant athletic director, a position he held for five months, before being promoted to athletic director in 2012.

“Brad has been an integral part of Roughrider athletics for nearly four decades. He has served as a leader and mentor for hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, and the College community and I thank him for his unwavering dedication and passion to the College and its athletic programs,” said Rodney Jenkins, Vice President of Community Relations and Student Development.

Under his leadership, YC athletics expanded from four NJCAA Division I programs to eight, won numerous conference and region championships and is widely regarded as one of the top junior college athletic programs in the nation.

Clifford was inducted into the Roughrider Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.