Former Valpo coach Homer Drew receives award at Final Four
Former Valparaiso University men’s basketball coach Homer Drew was honored as the recipient of the 2012 Coach John Wooden “Keys to Life” Award at the annual Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast Saturday morning in New Orleans.
The Keys to Life award, established by sports ministries Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1998, is presented annually to a past or current college or professional basketball player or coach who models the characteristics of UCLA men’s basketball coaching legend John Wooden. Drew won 640 games over his collegiate coaching career, including 371 at Valpo. But more than that, he was honored for instilling in student-athletes and fans alike a mindset of “Building a Tradition,” a philosophy proving that character, determination, and faith are higher achievements than winning a game.
The Legends of the Hardwood Breakfast, hosted by Athletes in Action and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is an event honoring upstanding character among basketball coaches and players. The breakfast, which draws upwards of 1,000 guests annually, featured TNT’s Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson as emcee, as well as former Keys to Life Award recipient and CBS college basketball lead analyst Clark Kellogg. Also in attendance on Saturday were Drew’s three children: sons Bryce (current Valparaiso head coach) and Scott (current Baylor head coach) and daughter Dana [Drew] Shaw.
More information can be found this weekend at valpoathletics.com.
About Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University is a comprehensive independent Lutheran university with more than 4,000 students on its campus located in Northwest Indiana, an hour from Chicago. Valpo is a community of purpose-driven, service-minded and ethical individuals who embrace the pursuit of truth with freedom, humility and compassion. Valpo has been identified as one of the top master’s-level institutions in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report magazine for the past 22 years. Valparaiso University offers 110 undergraduate academic programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering and Nursing. Valpo also has a distinguished honors college, a School of Law and more than 40 degree and certificate programs in its Graduate School and Continuing Education Division. Valpo has been recognized for its commitment to outstanding teaching, preparing thoughtful leaders with strong cross-cultural skills and global awareness, and dedication to serving others.
