Family, faith, and sports are the three pillars of the Shaw family’s life. Casey and Dana Shaw, along with their four children, embody this connection in their everyday lives. Two of their sons, Isaiah and Caleb, play basketball under their uncle, Bryce Drew, who is not only the head coach but also Dana’s brother. Both the Shaw and Drew families are deeply rooted in Christianity, with Bryce Drew coaching at GCU and Scott Drew at Baylor, leading men’s programs at Christian schools.
In 2024, both GCU and Baylor made it to the Men’s NCAA Tournament, with each team winning a game in the first round. While Baylor’s victory was expected after their title win in 2021, GCU’s success was more surprising as it was their first tournament win since moving up to Division I in 2013. Casey Shaw believes that incorporating biblical principles into coaching helps create a healthy program.
The Shaw family places great importance on culture within their team. Selflessness, teamwork, unity, togetherness, and sacrifice are key values that they emphasize to help create a positive dynamic among players. Similarly, Scott Drew at Baylor focuses on fostering a culture of JOY (Jesus-Others-Yourself). This prioritization of faith and community within the team has led to continued success for both schools. Paul Putz from Baylor’s Faith and Sports Institute recognizes Scott Drew’s commitment to placing Jesus at the forefront of their program as central to their coaching philosophy. The emphasis on faith and prioritizing others over oneself is what leads to positive outcomes both on and off the court for both teams.
In conclusion, the Shaw family embodies how faith and family can intersect seamlessly in everyday life through sports. Their belief in incorporating biblical principles into coaching has helped create a healthy program that emphasizes culture values such as selflessness