At the Don Meyer Evening of Excellence in 2010, Tim Tebow stood on a stage in the center of Allen Arena speaking to thousands listening intently to his every word. Last year, Mike Krzyzewski spoke to a similar crowd about his experiences as a coach on the national scale as well as the college spectrum. On Saturday, one of the nation’s premier college coaches will be on stage.
Butler Coach Brad Stevens is highly touted as one of the best young coaches of the modern era. Two years ago, Stevens signed a deal that would keep him at Butler until the 2021-22 season. With his several awards and accolades in just a few short years, Butler had no choice but to offer Stevens a long-term offer.
Stevens, only 35, has compiled a 139-40 record in five seasons, including back-to-back trips to the national championship game in 2010-11. And while his coaching skills have been sought after time and time again, he continues to turn down offers from larger universities.
Since 2009, the former Division III point guard has won two Horizon Coach of the Year awards and the Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award, given to the coach who “has made the most significant positive contributions to his sport” during the preceding year.
Stevens told The City Paper he is thrilled to speak at the event, which is named for the legendary Coach Meyer.
“He is just a guy that everybody that is in coaching idolizes and thinks the world of,” Stevens said. “He was the star among coaches long before the accident. Everybody in coaching knew of him and admired him long before he went through all the things he went through. The way he handled all of those things and the inspiration he provided to people all over the world just enhanced that.”
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Formal business attire is requested.