Monday, October 23, 2006

The Valparaiso University men's basketball program today announced the promotion of Bryce Drew to Associate Head Basketball Coach.

Drew earns the new title after returning to the Crusader family last season as an assistant coach under his father, Homer Drew. Drew was responsible for basketball development, recruiting, and scouting in his first year on staff, and helped lead the Crusaders to 17 victories.

?We are pleased to be recognizing Bryce's contributions to our basketball program in this way," said Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera. ?His knowledge of the sport and background at Valpo have made him a valuable part of the staff, and we look forward to working together with him for many years."

Drew was a three-time All-Conference First Team honoree during his playing career at Valparaiso, and earned league MVP honors twice. He also picked up three conference tournament MVP awards, leading Valpo to four consecutive Mid-Con regular season and tournament titles.

Drew, Valpo's career leader in points (2,142), assists (626), and three-point field goals made (364), propelled Valpo onto the national stage in 1998 when he hit ?The Shot" in the Crusaders' first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Ole Miss to give Valpo a 70-69 victory. The Crusaders would go on to down Florida State in overtime to advance to the Sweet 16.

Drew became the first Crusader to ever be chosen in the first round of the NBA draft, going 16th in the 1998 draft to the Houston Rockets. He would eventually play six seasons with the Rockets, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets before playing in Europe in 2004. Drew was honored by the NBA in 1999 with the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award for sportsmanship.

Valparaiso opens the exhibition season at the ARC on Saturday, November 4th, hosting Indiana Wesleyan. The tip is set for 7:35 p.m., and you can catch every minute of Crusader action this season live on the Valpo Sports Radio Network and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.