Alumni Loyalty Award: Lisa M. Brinkmeyer Van Deventer, JO'98
Lisa Brinkmeyer’s speech at the Alumni Awards banquet brought smiles, laughter, and a deep sense of Bulldog pride to everyone in the audience. Two months after the banquet, Lisa passed away after a courageous journey with brain cancer. Lisa’s unwavering loyalty, support, and commitment to being True Blue will live on through The Lisa Brinkmeyer Women’s Basketball Endowed Fund.
When Lisa Brinkmeyer came to Drake University in 1993, she already had a prestigious reputation from her high school basketball career. Brinkmeyer is a graduate of Hubbard-Radcliffe High School, where she played in Iowa’s final six-on-six state basketball championship, leading the Rebels to the 1993 state crown. Brinkmeyer was recognized for her outstanding performance in high school by being inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Basketball and Volleyball Hall of Fame.
During her time at Drake, Brinkmeyer built on her already accomplished basketball career. She played on the Drake women's basketball team from 1993 to 1998, earning honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference playing honors as a junior and senior. She was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to the MVC regular-season title in 1997 and 1998 as well as MVC Tournament championships in 1995, 1997, and 1998. She played on Bulldog teams that competed in the 1995, 1997, and 1998 NCAA Tournaments.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication in 1998, Brinkmeyer served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Drake from 1998 to 2000, helping the Bulldogs advance to the 2000 NCAA Tournament. She then worked with KJJC Sports Radio in Des Moines before joining the marketing department at the Kum & Go Corporate Office. Brinkmeyer has also served on various boards for Drake, including the Bulldog Scholarship Club Advisory Board. She is currently a member of the Robert D. and Billie Ray National Advisory Council. Brinkmeyer has continued to stay connected with Drake women’s basketball as a color commentator for radio and television broadcasts of Drake women’s basketball games.
Brinkmeyer received the prestigious Double D award for her contributions as a Drake athlete who has excelled off the court. Brinkmeyer and her husband, Ted, have established the Lisa Brinkmeyer Women’s Basketball Endowed Fund. Those funds will directly impact the women’s basketball players and program. Lisa and Ted have a son, Hitch, and a daughter, Libby.
In 2022, Brinkmeyer learned that she had a rare form of brain cancer. Since her diagnosis, the Drake community has rallied around Brinkmeyer and her family. Multiple fundraisers have been held in Brinkmeyer’s honor including at the 2022 Drake vs. Iowa basketball game where shirts with the saying “Brink’s Bench” were sold and worn by both coaching staffs. Proceeds from the sales of the shirts supported Brinkmeyer and her family’s expenses. Brinkmeyer continues to take on her battle with cancer with the positive spirit and fierce strength she is known for on and off the court.
Alumni Loyalty Award honors an alumnus or alumna for his or her commitment and dedicated service to Drake University.