Brad Fischer
| Brad Fischer | |
| Noted subjects | Generalist; Math, Music, Ancient Greece |
| Current college | Keith Country Day |
| Past colleges | Northern Illinois University, Rock Valley College |
| High school | Winnebago |
| Stats | HDWhite • NAQT |
Brad Fischer is a former high school/collegiate player from the northern Illinois area. He is married to Kristin Strey, and their son James was born in 2009. He worked for the National History Bee and Bowl as Director of Question Production and Upper Midwest Regional Coordinator. [1] In 2022 he became chair of the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association.
High School Career
Fischer is considered by many to be among the best high school players of his era (2005-06, the beginning of the transition to pyramidal quizbowl in Illinois), and among the very best players to emerge from any smaller school in Illinois history. After some minor successes as a junior, including winning the year's Winnebago Invitational, in 2006 he led Winnebago to fifth place at Loyola Ultima and third place in the 2006 IHSA Class A State Finals. In both his junior and senior years, Fischer was named First Team All-State.
College Career
Rock Valley College
Fischer started his college career at Rock Valley College, attempting to start a team at the community college. The team traveled to one tournament (Elvis at Wisconsin) and hosted one high school tournament (The Decemberist) during his time there. The Decemberist had a second incarnation after his December 2007 graduation and transfer to Northern Illinois University.
Northern Illinois University
Fischer started a Quiz Bowl Association at NIU, primarily to host tournaments while also playing a small schedule of college events. His last collegiate tournament, 2011 ICT, saw him place fifth individually and lead NIU to a tie for 10th place in Division II.
Illinois Quizbowl
Fischer has been a prominent volunteer in the northern Illinois and Chicagoland region since graduating from high school, and can usually be seen staffing high school tournaments. In addition, he was a writer for Aegis Questions, New Trier Varsity, and the IHSA State Series. He and Kristin served as assistant coaches for IMSA up through the 2011-2012 season. For a few years he was the Head Coach for the Keith Country Day scholastic bowl program after the retirement of Beth Lipton.
In 2017, Fischer was named the new head editor for the IHSA state series. The writing team also includes Noah Prince and Andrew Wang. Fischer took a break from the job in 2025 when his son became eligible to play.
In 2024, Fischer hosted Bergstrom Stateline Quiz Bowl after previous host Eric Wilson's contract was not renewed.