Last week was one of the biggest weeks for Indianapolis sports in a long time. At the beginning the of the week there was the exciting news that the Butler Bulldogs had officially become a member the New Big East Conference and joined such teams as Georgetown, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and DePaul to form one of the most prestigious college basketball conferences in the country. This move would really put the Bulldogs on the national map and make their basketball program one of the most highly regarded in the college basketball. There were a great deal of smiles, handshakes, and back slaps as the news was announced and everyone was congratulating everyone else, yet something wasn’t quite right. The reaction of the Butler people was somewhat forced and guarded, and even Coach Stevens seemed to be a bit stiff. There were whispers and rumors that something was amiss and another major announcement would be forthcoming very soon from Butler about their basketball program and it wasn’t going to be good news.
Then Wednesday, the worst that could happen for the Bulldogs and the city of Indianapolis happened. The news that on Friday, Coach Stevens would officially become the new head coach of the Boston Celtics of the NBA was announced. When Coach Stevens turned the UCLA job down a couple of months ago, I, like everyone else, thought he would stay with the Butler program at least a couple of more years and we would not have to face the heartbreak of his departure for a while, but I was very naive. The news hit central Indiana like a ton of bricks. The last five years, Brad Stevens has made the Butler basketball program one of the most successful in NCAA history. Not only were the Bulldogs successful, but they were honorable. The team is and has been composed of young men of outstanding character who exemplified the term “Student Athlete” and brought positive attention to the Bulldog team. Coach Brad Stevens is an outstanding young man and he and his family have always represented the absolute best in what we all like to call “Hoosier Family Values.” He and his Bulldogs made all of us in Indiana proud to be alumni of Butler University, even if it was just an honorary membership.
If anyone thinks that somehow Brad Stevens has let Indianapolis down or sold Butler down the river, they are completely mistaken. Coach Stevens’ first loyalty is to himself and his family. There is no way he could have gone to his wife and said “You know what dear? I just turned down 22 million bucks.” That would have been a betrayal.
If Brad Stevens ever owed anyone anything, he has more than paid them back with the brilliant conduct he has displayed while carrying out his assignment. The time was right for him to make a move that will enrich his career and set his family’s future. All the rest of us can do is thank him for the wonderful years he gave us at Butler and wish him all the best for his future.
snicewanger@yahoo.com