Joe Stowell, an American basketball player and coach for the Bradley Braves, died on February 14, 2026, at age 99.
Stowell attended Bradley University and played on its basketball team from 1947 to 1950 before returning as an assistant coach in 1956. He became Bradley’s ninth head coach in 1965 and led the program for 13 seasons, winning 197 games before being dismissed in 1978.
His coaching career also included two seasons with high school boys teams and two years coaching the Bradley University women. In 1985, he joined Dave Snell as a WMBD (AM) broadcaster for Bradley basketball games and remained in that role until 2010.
Joseph R. Stowell (December 24, 1926 – February 14, 2026) was an American college basketball coach and broadcaster. After attending Bradley University and playing on the basketball team from 1947 to 1950, he returned as an assistant coach in 1956 and became Bradley’s ninth head coach in 1965. During his thirteen seasons as Bradley’s head coach he won 197 games. He was fired as head coach in 1978. His basketball resume also features two seasons coaching high school boys and two years coaching the Bradley University women. In 1985 Stowell joined Dave Snell as a WMBD (AM) broadcaster for Bradley basketball games, and worked in that position until 2010. Born on December 24, 1926, Stowell died on February 14, 2026, at the age of 99.