[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 28 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO HOMER DREW

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and esteem that I 
wish to congratulate Homer Drew, head coach of the men's basketball 
team at Valparaiso University, located in Valparaiso, Indiana, for 
achieving his 500th victory on February 21, 2002. Coach Drew is the 
embodiment of the true spirit of college athletics. He emphasizes 
teamwork, scholastic excellence, and community involvement. The people 
of Valparaiso as well as the entire Northwest Indiana community can be 
proud of the positive influence he has had on our youth.
  A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Homer received Bachelors of Arts 
degrees in physical education and social studies from William Jewell 
College in Liberty, Missouri in 1966 and later earned his Master of 
Arts degree in education at Washington University in St. Louis and his 
Doctorate in educational administration from Andrews University in 
Berrien Springs, Michigan. His coaching career began in 1971 as an 
assistant at Washington State University, where he spent one season 
before moving to Louisiana State University as an assistant to 
legendary coach Dale Brown.
  Coach Drew earned his first head-coaching job at Bethel College in 
Mishawaka, Indiana in 1976. During his 11 seasons at Bethel, his teams 
compiled a record of 252-110, making the National Association of 
Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Christian College 
Athletic Association (NCCAA) playoffs each year. He was honored as the 
NCCAA District Coach of the Year during five of those eleven seasons. 
In 1987 Coach Drew became the head coach at Indiana University-South 
Bend, where he inspired a team which had won only six games the 
previous season and led them to a 17-12 record, the first winning 
season in school history.
  Homer Drew was hired as the head basketball coach of Valparaiso 
University prior to the 1988-1989 season, and it marked a turning point 
not only for the basketball program but the university and community as 
a whole. His personal commitment to faith, family, and service has 
carried over into professional excellence. He has earned more victories 
than any other head coach in school history after leading the Crusaders 
to a record of 235-184 in his 14 years at Valparaiso University, 
including guiding this year's team to a school record 25 victories. He 
has been named Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year four times, 
and has led the Crusaders to the NCAA Tournament five times in the last 
six years. His teams have won the Mid-Continent conference regular 
season and tournament championships in six of the last eight years, and 
have captured either the regular season or tournament championship each 
year during that time.
  Coach Drew brought national attention to himself and the university 
in 1998, when he coached the Crusaders to an upset victory over 
nationally ranked Mississippi in the NCAA Tournament. An experienced 
team led by Homer's son, Bryce Drew, the Crusaders defeated Florida 
State in the second round of the tournament to advance to the Sweet 
Sixteen. The national media focused its attention on the small school 
from Northwest Indiana and marveled not only at the success of the 
team, but at the kindness and graciousness of the players and their 
coach. The nation learned what we in Northwest Indiana already knew; 
that Homer Drew is an outstanding role model for the youth who put 
their trust in him.
  Beyond his exceptional professional achievements, Homer Drew takes 
significant pride in his personal activities within his community. He 
is an active civic speaker who has created numerous community 
activities in which his players and coaches participate. In 1998, Drew 
was honored with the prestigious Naismith Good Sportsmanship Award, 
given by the Naismith International Basketball Foundation. He has also 
been awarded with the Lumen Christi Medal, Valparaiso University's 
highest honor, in recognition of a lay person's distinguished service 
to church and society. Coach Drew admits that one of his finest 
achievements is that he has sent over 50 of his players into either the 
coaching and/or teaching profession. A dedicated family man, Drew 
enjoys spending much of his free time with his wife, Janet, and their 
three children, Scott, the associate head coach of the Crusaders, Dana, 
and Bryce.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues 
join me in congratulating Coach Homer Drew of Valparaiso University for 
achieving his 500th victory as a head basketball coach. His leadership 
both on and off the basketball court is valuable resource to the 
Northwest Indiana community, and I hope that we will benefit from his 
influence for many years to come.

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