(courtesy ValpoAthletics.com)
The name Drew has long been synonymous with basketball excellence at Valparaiso University. This season and in the years to come, the Crusaders’ home court will bear that name.
Valpo, which replaced the Athletics-Recreation Center arena floor this summer, honored longtime head men’s basketball coach Homer Drew by naming the new court after him. The ceremony to dedicate the court occurred prior to Saturday night's win over Olivet Nazarene, featuring a blessing of the new surface by university pastor James Wetzstein and a proclamation delivered by Horizon League commissioner Jon LeCrone declaring October 30, 2010 as “Homer Drew Day” throughout the league. Valparaiso University president Mark Heckler then stepped to the podium and made the official announcement of the dedication, as former and current Crusader players stepped away to reveal Homer Drew Court in script in front of the Valpo bench. Drew then spoke to the crowd for about 10 minutes to close the dedication ceremony.
THE COACH
For a coach to ply his trade on a court named after himself is a rarity in college athletics, as only a handful of current collegiate head coaches are coaching on floors bearing their name. But given how much Drew has done for the men’s basketball program, athletics department and Valparaiso University, the decision was a no-brainer when the floor was set for replacement.
“Valparaiso has a long and storied basketball tradition, and Coach Drew is a very significant player in that tradition,” said Valparaiso Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera. “Given his contributions to athletics and the University’s national reputation and his strong commitment to the student-athletes for more than 20 years, it is fitting that we are able to honor Coach Drew in this manner.”
Drew has spent 21 seasons as the head coach at Valparaiso University, helping to put the men’s basketball program on the national scene while accumulating 348 wins at the helm of the Crusaders. He currently ranks seventh among active Division I head coaches in victories.
During his time at Valpo, Drew has guided the Crusaders to eight conference regular-season titles and conference tournament championships. He has led Valpo into the NCAA Tournament seven times, the most memorable appearance being in 1998 as Drew and the Crusaders downed Ole Miss and Florida State en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Off the court, Drew has received numerous honors. He was awarded the Lumen Christi Medal in 1999, Valparaiso University’s highest honor in recognition of a lay person’s distinguished service to church and society. He was recognized last year as one of the 150 most influential people in Valpo’s first 150 years, and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2009 as a member of the 1997-1998 men’s basketball squad. Drew also has received the Naismith Good Sportsmanship Award from the Naismith International Basketball Foundation.
But Drew’s biggest impact has been on the lives of the student-athletes he works with, day in and day out. Thirty-two of his players have gone on to play professional basketball, but just as importantly, nearly 80 players have gone into the teaching and coaching professions.
“It’s certainly an honor to play for Coach Drew,” said Crusader senior forward and co-captain Cory Johnson. “He’s certainly a legend in college basketball. I’ve spent the last three years with him, and every year it seems like it’s his first year coaching. He has that enthusiasm for coaching that he brings to every practice and every game.”
THE NEW COURT
Fans will notice a lot of changes to the floor inside the ARC arena when they come to basketball games this season.
“I am thrilled that we have a new floor in the arena this year,” Drew said. “The best part is that it benefits not just basketball but all the sports that play or practice on the main floor at the ARC, as well as intramural athletes, so it is something that will be enjoyed by a multitude of people.”
Of course, the court will bear Drew’s name, with the words “Homer Drew Court” appearing in his own handwriting right in front of the Crusader bench. The floor also reflects the new branding of the University and the athletics department, with the new Crusader mascot prominent at center court holding the Valpo Shield of Character.
But the most noticeable difference just comes from walking onto the floor itself. The new court is much springier and has a lot more give to it, and if the ordinary fan can tell the difference, for the players the floor is immensely more player-friendly.
“The new court definitely has a lot of improvements,” said Johnson. “You can just feel it in your body, the knees and joints. Everyone on the team has nothing but great things to say about the new court. You can tell the difference when you go up and jump, you feel like you’re getting a little bit higher, a little more spring to it. Hopefully it can help us get a few more rebounds this year and a few more wins.”
