Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer, a former Drake women’s basketball player and assistant coach, passed away on June 15, 2023, after a year-long battle with brain cancer. She was 48 years old. Lisa was an Iowa sports icon, who excelled in multiple sports and left a lasting impact on the state’s athletic community. She was also a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and colleague to many.
Early Life and High School Career
Lisa was born on March 20, 1975, in Ames, Iowa, to Lynn and Richard Brinkmeyer of Hubbard, Iowa. She grew up in Hubbard, where she enjoyed spending time with her large family, especially her brother Blain, who was her idol and mentor. She also developed a passion for sports, playing basketball, volleyball, and softball with the boys and girls in her neighborhood.
Lisa attended Hubbard-Radcliffe High School, where she became a three-sport star and one of the most decorated athletes in Iowa history. She led her teams to state tournaments in all three sports, earning first-team all-state honors in each one. She was also named Miss Iowa Basketball in 1993, after scoring 3,615 points in her career, the third-most in state history.
Lisa’s most memorable achievement came in 1993, when she helped Hubbard-Radcliffe win the final six-on-six state championship in Iowa history. Six-on-six basketball was a unique version of the game that was played only by girls in Iowa until 1993. It featured two teams of six players each, with three players on offense and three on defense, who could not cross the center line. Lisa was a forward on offense, who had the responsibility of scoring most of the points for her team.
In the state championship game against Atlantic, Lisa scored 46 points, including the game-winning basket with four seconds left. She also grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked seven shots. The game was watched by more than 10,000 fans at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines and broadcast live on television across the state. It was a historic moment for Lisa and for Iowa girls basketball.
College Career and Coaching Stint
After graduating from high school, Lisa accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Drake University in Des Moines. She chose Drake over several other offers because she wanted to stay close to her family and play for a program that valued academics as well as athletics.
Lisa played for Drake from 1993 to 1998, earning honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Conference honors as a junior and senior. She was instrumental in guiding the Bulldogs to two regular-season conference titles and three tournament titles during her career. She also helped the Bulldogs reach the NCAA Tournament three times, advancing to the second round in 1995 and 1998.
Lisa finished her college career with 1,268 points and 619 rebounds. She ranks among the top 10 in Drake history in several categories, including field goal percentage (.544), free throw percentage (.825), blocked shots (97), and games played (128). She also excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-MVC honors three times and graduating with a degree in business administration.
After her playing career ended, Lisa stayed at Drake as an assistant coach for two seasons from 1998 to 2000. She helped the Bulldogs win another MVC Tournament title and reach the NCAA Tournament in 2000. She also mentored several players who went on to have successful careers at Drake and beyond.
Career at IGHSAU and Impact on Girls Sports
In 2000, Lisa left coaching to pursue a career as an administrator at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU), the governing body for girls sports in Iowa. She served as an assistant director for more than two decades, overseeing several sports including basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, bowling, and swimming.
Lisa was passionate about promoting girls sports and providing opportunities for young female athletes to compete and excel. She was involved in organizing state tournaments, developing rules and policies, conducting clinics and workshops, and supporting coaches and officials. She was also a member of several national committees related to girls sports.
Lisa was widely respected and admired by everyone who worked with her at IGHSAU and across the state. She was known for her professionalism, dedication, enthusiasm, humor, and kindness. She was also a role model and mentor for many girls who looked up to her as an example of what they could achieve through sports.
Personal Life and Family
Lisa married Ted VanDeventer in 2002. They had two children: Hitch (born in 2006) and Libby (born in 2009). Lisa loved being a wife and mother more than anything else. She enjoyed spending time with her family at their home in Ankeny or at their cabin in Clear Lake. She also liked to travel, fish, golf, read, and watch sports.
Lisa was very close to her parents, Lynn and Richard, who supported her throughout her life. She was devastated when her father passed away in 2004. She was also very close to her brother Blain, who followed her footsteps as a basketball player at Hubbard-Radcliffe and Drake. She was proud of his accomplishments as a coach and teacher at Ankeny Centennial High School.
Lisa had a large extended family that included many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She cherished her relationships with them and often visited them in Hubbard or other places. She also had many friends from different walks of life, who loved her for her personality and spirit.
Cancer Diagnosis and Battle
In April 2022, Lisa was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She also participated in a clinical trial for a new drug that showed promise for treating her condition.
Lisa faced her diagnosis and treatment with courage, optimism, and faith. She never gave up hope or lost her sense of humor. She continued to work at IGHSAU as much as she could, even attending state tournaments and events. She also continued to enjoy life with her family and friends, making the most of every moment.
Lisa received tremendous support from her community during her battle. A group of friends and former teammates formed Brink’s Bench, a network that provided emotional, financial, and practical assistance to Lisa and her family. They organized fundraisers, delivered meals, sent cards and gifts, and visited Lisa regularly. They also wore T-shirts and bracelets with the slogan “Brink Strong” to show their solidarity.
Lisa’s hometown of Hubbard also rallied around her, hosting a benefit event in September 2022 that raised more than $100,000 for her medical expenses. The event featured a silent auction, a live auction, a raffle, a bake sale, and a concert by country singer Jake McVey. More than 1,000 people attended the event, including many former classmates, teammates, coaches, teachers, and friends.
Lisa was grateful for all the support she received from Brink’s Bench, Hubbard, Drake, IGHSAU, and everyone else who cared for her. She expressed her appreciation in a video message that was played at the benefit event. She said: “I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done for me and my family. You’ve made this journey so much easier for us. You’ve given us hope and strength and love. You are all amazing people and I love you all.”
Death and Legacy
Lisa passed away on June 15, 2023, surrounded by her family at her home in Ankeny. She was 48 years old. Her death was announced by IGHSAU on its website and social media platforms. The announcement said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved colleague Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. Lisa was the embodiment of The Iowa Girl – an outstanding athlete who became an outstanding leader in girls athletics.”
Lisa’s death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the state and beyond. Many people shared their memories and condolences on social media using the hashtags #BrinkStrong and #BeBlue (the latter referring to Drake’s school color). Several prominent figures in Iowa sports also issued statements honoring Lisa’s life and legacy.
Drake University President Marty Martin said: “Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer was a true Bulldog who embodied everything that makes Drake University special. She was an exceptional student-athlete who excelled on the court and in the classroom. She was a loyal alumna who supported Drake in countless ways. She was a dedicated professional who made a positive difference in girls sports in Iowa. She was also a wonderful person who touched the lives of many with her kindness, humor, and grace. We are deeply saddened by her passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Drake women’s basketball head coach Allison Pohlman said: “Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer taught us all so much about being True Blue. The funniest, most supportive member of our community, and the consummate connector to our program. A timeless representative of our sport. Always love for this Bulldog legend.”
IGHSAU Executive Director Jean Berger said: “Lisa was one of the most influential people in girls athletics not only in Iowa but across the nation. She was passionate about providing opportunities for girls to participate in sports and helping them grow as leaders and citizens. She was also a dear friend and colleague who brought joy and laughter to our office every day. We will miss her terribly but we will always remember her legacy.”
