In the Shaw family, faith and family are at the heart of their lives. Casey and Dana Shaw, with their four children, embody this bond through sport and religion seamlessly intersecting in their daily lives. Two of their sons, Isaiah and Caleb, play basketball under the guidance of their uncle Brice Drew, who is not only the head coach but also Dana’s brother. Both 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 advanced to the Men’s NCAA Tournament, with each team winning a first-round game. While Baylor’s win was expected after winning the title in 2021, GCU’s success was more surprising as it was their first tournament win since moving to Division I in 2013. Casey Shaw believes that incorporating biblical principles into coaching helps create a healthy program.
The Shaw family emphasizes selflessness, teamwork, unity, togetherness and sacrifice as key values in their team culture. Similarly, Baylor’s Scott Drew focuses on cultivating a culture of JOY (Jesus others self), which has led to continued success for both schools. Paul Putz from Baylor’s Institute for Faith and Sports recognizes Scott Drew’s commitment to putting Jesus at the head of his program. The prioritization of faith and community in the team dynamic has been central to their coaching philosophy and has led to positive results on and off the field.
Overall, the Shaw family embodies how faith can intersect seamlessly with sports while maintaining a strong emphasis on community values such as selflessness