Drew family counts blessings, championships
by Mike Lopresti, USA TODAY Sports
VALPARAISO, Ind. – The son coached his team into the NCAA Tournament, on the court named after his father. The mother was helped up the ladder to cut down a piece of the championship net, a year after her cancer fight had kept her from even coming to the game.
The Drews all say they’re blessed, and Tuesday night makes you understand why, as Valparaiso celebrated the Horizon League championship, and the son shook a thousand hands, and the father hugged his grandchildren, and the mother fought tears in row J as the game ended. Kodak moments by the handful.
“God has been so gracious to our whole family,” Janet Drew said, with glistening eyes.
They are a clan that loves college basketball, and clearly the sport loves them back.
Bryce Drew led Valparaiso into the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday, with a 62-54 win over Wright State.
Just like brother Scott has done at Baylor.
Just like father Homer did seven times at Valparaiso, including 1998, when the Crusaders went to the Sweet 16 and pulled off one of the tournament’s most cherished all-time buzzer-beating plays to upset Mississippi – by a shooter named Bryce Drew.
The great circle of March. And is anyone else curious if there has ever been another family that could say the father and two sons coached in the NCAA Tournament? “A great question,” Homer said.
The Horizon League folks did some research Tuesday night and didn’t think so, but they weren’t sure. Anyway, it’s special.
Special, because this is only Bryce’s second year as Valparaiso coach, and he has already joined the family business – getting a team into the NCAA bracket.
Special, because back in Texas, Scott had to be watching while preparing Baylor for the Big 12 tournament. “We’ll talk tonight,” Bryce said. “He helps me more than people know.”
Special, because this is a team brought in from hither and yon, representing eight states and … [For more on Drew family counts its blessings, and its championships, click here.]
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