The Valparaiso Parks Department has received another lead gift to benefit Tower Park and build a second signature basketball court that will be themed with the Valparaiso High School logo. The Valpo Parks Department and the Valpo Parks Foundation are proud to announce that the gift is the third in a series of public private partnerships regarding the Tower Park renovation.
The donors of this gift are a group of notable Valparaiso High School alumni and their families, including Scott, Bryce and Dana Drew, Robbie Hummel, Rob Cavanaugh and the Friends of Tim Bishop.
“Each of these former VHS basketball stars have been and continue to be supported by extraordinary families and friends who are community leaders,” said Valpo Parks Director John Seibert. “These are truly exceptional people who have supported youth sports, education and community philanthropy for many years.”
Bryce Drew was an Indiana High School All-Star in basketball, Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1994 and was conference MVP in the Midcontinent League for Valparaiso University. He was a first-round draft pick in the NBA and was an honored assistant coach and head coach of men's basketball at Valparaiso University. He is now the head coach for men's basketball at Vanderbilt University.
Dana Drew Shaw was an Indiana All-Star in basketball at VHS, was a conference MVP in the MAC at Toledo University and played professionally in Europe. She is now an attorney specializing in sports and entertainment law.
Scott Drew played on a Regional Championship tennis team when he was at Valparaiso High School. While attending Butler University, Scott played tennis and assisted with the men's basketball program. He was an assistant men's basketball coach to his father Homer Drew and then became head basketball coach at Valparaiso University, helping lead the team to NCAA and NIT tournament berths. In 2003, he took over the Baylor University program and turned it into a perennial national contender, becoming Baylor's all-time winningest men's basketball coach and leading the Bears to high national rankings, NCAA tournament runs and an NIT championship.
Robbie Hummel was also an Indiana All-Star in basketball at VHS, was a conference MVP in the Big Ten at Purdue University and played professionally in the NBA and in Europe. He continues to play professionally as well as assists in Purdue Athletics and works for the Big Ten Television Network.
Rob Cavanaugh was All-Conference at VHS and established an Indiana High School state basketball record by sinking 72 free throws in a row. He made 100 of his first 101 free throw attempts of his senior year at VHS. While at VU, he was a four-year starter under Coach Homer Drew. Cavanaugh is now a well-known orthodontist and community leader in Valparaiso.
Tim Bishop was a three-sport Indiana All-Star in basketball, baseball and football. He received a full scholarship to Indiana University for football and was also drafted by the New York Mets. Tragically, Tim was killed in a traffic accident in 1997 at the age of 20 while playing for the New York Mets Class A affiliate in Columbia, SC. Many consider Tim Bishop Valparaiso High School's greatest all-around athlete.
These friends and leaders of Valparaiso and Valparaiso High School join Brian Cardinal, Robbie Hummel and the Purdue Community Hoops project that previously announced a leadership gift for another court at Tower Park. They also join Jeff Samardzija and the Samardzija Family who announced their leadership gift to rebuild Tower Park's baseball field into a state-of-the-art youth facility.
Construction will begin on the Tower Park basketball courts in late August and be completed in Fall 2016. The baseball field will be started in Fall 2016 and completed in the Summer of 2017.
“This lead gift is again symbolic of how we are able to accomplish great things for our residents and guests” said John Seibert. “It not only enables us to create quality experiences, but also shows how leaders are willing to give back to their community and pay forward to a next generation.” This is the latest announcement of many volunteer and private sector announcements and opportunities that will be part of the Valpo Park Foundation’s Leader’s Giving Back Campaign that will support renovation of sports facilities, neighborhood parks and other special venues.
Dr. Jerry Rodenbarger and Dr. Robert Behrend are co-chairing the Leaders Giving Back campaign for the Tower Park Renovation. Future announcements will be made to let the public know how they can join in the Leaders Giving Back Campaign and be recognized at Tower Park with these lead gift donors. For more information, contact John Seibert, Donna Hannah or Barbie Johnson at valpoparks.org or at 219-462-5144.
