Charles Bradt usually can be seen at any men’s or women’s NIU basketball game in his favorite spot – section 103, ground level, seat 15 or 16.

He enjoys basketball and attending NIU sporting events. The only thing that might set Bradt apart from the other fans is that he celebrated his 100th birthday last November. He also is Annie Glidden’s nephew.

Bradt’s birthday celebration took place at the country club in DeKalb, where he was a president. Six generations of his family gathered to celebrate, said Jessica Bradt, his great-granddaughter. A photo hangs on a wall in Bradt’s home commemorating the event.

Bradt was born on Nov. 28, 1903, in a house that now is the parking lot for Saint Mary’s Church of DeKalb.

He has lived in DeKalb almost his entire life, except for a brief period when he moved to be closer to a bank that he was running.

Despite being a huge Huskies fan, Bradt graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a bachelor’s degree in banking.

Bradt has seen DeKalb grow over the years, as more businesses and houses go up every day.

“I feel if [DeKalb’s] going to grow, it’s going to grow,” he said.

In addition to NIU’s basketball games, Bradt has been to five college Final Fours for men and women. He said that at last year’s men’s final four, he rooted for underdog Syracuse.

Bradt not only is a supporter of NIU sports, he said he also attends NIU theater productions.

“I think they do a good job acting. I don’t know if I care about the selection of plays,” he said.

Bradt also is well-traveled and has been to every continent except Antarctica. He said he marks everywhere he has traveled by putting pins on a globe he keeps on a table behind his couch.

Being the nephew of Annie Glidden, Bradt made it clear that a painted mural and having a road named after him is not something he would want.

“I think the mural of Annie is kind of silly, but the community seems to enjoy it,” he said.

Bradt said he keeps himself busy by reading two books a week and playing in bridge tournaments.