A Loyal Bulldog
Lisa Brinkmeyer Van Deventer
When you enter Drake University’s Knapp Center, Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer’s influence on the Drake women’s basketball program is immediately apparent from the championship banners hanging in the rafters.
Lisa, JO’98, was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to two MVC regular-season titles, three MVC Tournament championships, and three NCAA tournament appearances.
After graduation, Lisa served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Drake from 1998 to 2000, helping the Bulldogs advance to the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Lisa was also a loyal volunteer, serving on various Drake boards, including the Bulldog Scholarship Club Advisory Board and the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center National Advisory Council.
Lisa was often called the “glue” that connected generations of Drake women’s basketball players. She hosted many gatherings for current and former Drake women’s basketball players and was known for celebrating the milestones of her fellow Bulldogs.
Before she passed away from brain cancer in June 2023, Lisa and her husband, Ted, established the Lisa Brinkmeyer Women’s Basketball Endowed Fund. The fund continues Lisa’s legacy of encouragement, engagement, and impact on Drake and the women’s basketball program.
