Completed Event: Men's Basketball at UNLV on February 7, 2026 , Loss , 78, to, 80
M Basketball
at UNLV
L 78-80
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Drew basketball family matriarch passes away
6/11/2024 8:45:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GCU head coach Bryce Drew's mother, Janet, described as famliy's 'rock and heartbeat'
Janet Drew, the matriarch of one of college basketball's greatest families and mother of Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew, passed away Saturday in Phoenix at the age of 80.
Janet and her husband of nearly 57 years, Homer, moved to Phoenix when Bryce accepted the GCU job in 2020 and brought their son-in-law, Casey Shaw, to be an assistant coach on his Lopes staff. The move also allowed the Drews to be closer to five of their eight grandchildren.
The family is ingrained into GCU with their daughter, Dana Drew Shaw, working as the university's director of government relations. The Shaws' oldest son, Isaiah, spent three years in the GCU basketball program where their middle son, Caleb, is entering his second season with the Lopes.
Besides being ardent GCU supporters, the Drews also partnered with the university for Homer's vision to launch an educational program for older adults.
The Drews' third child is Scott, the head coach of Baylor men's basketball since 2003.
Janet was born and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana, before moving to Liberty, Missouri, where she was valedictorian of Liberty High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Missouri and taught in Webster Groves, Missouri, where she met Homer for the beginning of the "Drew Crew."
Homer's Hall of Fame basketball coaching career took the family to Lee's Summit, Missouri, where he coached the high school, before collegiate stops at Washington State, Louisiana State, Bethel, Indiana-South Bend and Valparaiso.
"Janet was the rock and heartbeat of the family, and she could be seen cheering from the stands as she supported her husband, children, and grandchildren," the Drew family said in a statement. "What was not seen was the endless encouragement, support, and prayers for not just her family, but all those who were blessed to meet her. Her beautiful smile and approachable countenance reflected her strong faith in Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
"Although her greatest joy was being with her family, Janet taught elementary school and mentored student-teachers, both which came natural for her. She was a resource for so many coaches' wives as they navigated being wives and moms in a demanding profession. She was also an advocate for cancer patients having herself been a bladder and breast cancer survivor while supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as she became a type 1 diabetic in her 60s.
"Janet was an amazingly strong woman and competitor, whether on the backyard basketball court, or in life, and she taught her kids and grandkids to find their strength in the Lord, whom she walked faithfully with every day."
Janet is survived by her husband, Homer, her three children, Scott and his wife, Kelly Drew of Waco, Texas, Dana and her husband, Casey Shaw of Phoenix, and Bryce and his wife, Tara. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Anna, Isaiah, Caleb, and Luke Shaw; Mackenzie, Peyton, and Brody Drew; and Bryson Drew.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Valparaiso University in the Athletics Recreation Center on Saturday from 2–5 p.m. with brief remarks at 4 p.m. (casual attire). As per her request, a private family burial will be held on Sunday. Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Janet and her husband of nearly 57 years, Homer, moved to Phoenix when Bryce accepted the GCU job in 2020 and brought their son-in-law, Casey Shaw, to be an assistant coach on his Lopes staff. The move also allowed the Drews to be closer to five of their eight grandchildren.
The family is ingrained into GCU with their daughter, Dana Drew Shaw, working as the university's director of government relations. The Shaws' oldest son, Isaiah, spent three years in the GCU basketball program where their middle son, Caleb, is entering his second season with the Lopes.
Besides being ardent GCU supporters, the Drews also partnered with the university for Homer's vision to launch an educational program for older adults.
The Drews' third child is Scott, the head coach of Baylor men's basketball since 2003.
Janet was born and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana, before moving to Liberty, Missouri, where she was valedictorian of Liberty High School. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Missouri and taught in Webster Groves, Missouri, where she met Homer for the beginning of the "Drew Crew."
Homer's Hall of Fame basketball coaching career took the family to Lee's Summit, Missouri, where he coached the high school, before collegiate stops at Washington State, Louisiana State, Bethel, Indiana-South Bend and Valparaiso.
"Janet was the rock and heartbeat of the family, and she could be seen cheering from the stands as she supported her husband, children, and grandchildren," the Drew family said in a statement. "What was not seen was the endless encouragement, support, and prayers for not just her family, but all those who were blessed to meet her. Her beautiful smile and approachable countenance reflected her strong faith in Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
"Although her greatest joy was being with her family, Janet taught elementary school and mentored student-teachers, both which came natural for her. She was a resource for so many coaches' wives as they navigated being wives and moms in a demanding profession. She was also an advocate for cancer patients having herself been a bladder and breast cancer survivor while supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as she became a type 1 diabetic in her 60s.
"Janet was an amazingly strong woman and competitor, whether on the backyard basketball court, or in life, and she taught her kids and grandkids to find their strength in the Lord, whom she walked faithfully with every day."
Janet is survived by her husband, Homer, her three children, Scott and his wife, Kelly Drew of Waco, Texas, Dana and her husband, Casey Shaw of Phoenix, and Bryce and his wife, Tara. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Anna, Isaiah, Caleb, and Luke Shaw; Mackenzie, Peyton, and Brody Drew; and Bryson Drew.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Valparaiso University in the Athletics Recreation Center on Saturday from 2–5 p.m. with brief remarks at 4 p.m. (casual attire). As per her request, a private family burial will be held on Sunday. Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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