He attended St. Laurence High School in Burbank, Illinois, where he was captain and most valuable wrestler for their first state championship team in wrestling.[3] Bracken provides the Kevin Bracken scholarship fund to St. Laurence high school. He led the St. Laurence Vikings to a team state championship in 1990. Bracken was coached by Bob Trombetta and Thomas M. Gauger. Gauger sparked Bracken's interest in Greco-Roman wrestling that led to his success. Tom Gauger has coached several wrestlers that competed in the college ranks.
In college, Bracken wrestled for Illinois State University before they eliminated their wrestling program during his final year.[4] Bracken holds the record for the most career wins in the history of the Illinois State University, with 127. In 2005, he was inducted into the Illinois State University hall of fame.[4][5]
Bracken was a five-time national champion, three-time Alternate for the U.S. Olympic Team, and one-time Olympian.[6] He was a Jr. National Championships runner-up in 1989 and Jr. National Champion in 1990 in Greco-Roman Wrestling. He was the 20-year-old age group National Champion in Greco-Roman and Freestyle and 5-time world team trials champion.