Tragic news spread late Thursday night in the circles of Iowa high school sports as long-time IGHSAU assistant director and Hubbard-Radcliffe alum Lisa Brinkemeyer VanDeventer passed away at the age of 48, following her lengthy battle with brain cancer.
Brinkmeyer led Hubbard-Radcliffe to the last-ever 6-on-6 state championship in girls basketball in 1993, before playing college basketball at Drake, and was a part of Missouri Valley Conference championship team in 1996, while remaining apart of the Bulldogs program following her playing days.
Brinkmeyer then was known in the high school circles as an associate director for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, a key figure in making girls high school sports in Iowa as popular as it has ever been.
Many tributes were paid to Brinkmeyer throughout her battle with brain cancer, on October 4th of last year, South Hamilton and Roland-Story paid a tribute before their annual rivalry matchup. Webster City and Bishop Garrigan also paid their own tribute to Brinkmeyer prior to their October 16th matchup last season.
Most notable, many of Brinkmeyer’s teammates, coaches and contemporaries celebrated her during last winter’s Iowa-Drake women’s basketball game, as both teams donned “Brink’s Bench” T-shirts, which were commonplace to find at South Hamilton and Roland-Story sporting events throughout the 2022-23 school year as well.
People such as Iowa women’s assistant coach Jan Jensen and the Drake women’s basketball program paid respects to Brinkmeyer on social media following the news
Heaven gained an All-Star Angel as God called Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer home❤️There’s no doubt her reception was full of love, fun & laughter-so much laughter!😊She was simply incomparable in every way…a blast to coach & a wonderful friend. I’m so thankful I was on her bench❤️ pic.twitter.com/x8DU6abeB7
— Jan Jensen (@goiowa) June 16, 2023
Lisa Brinkmeyer VanDeventer taught us all so much about being 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.
💙🤍 #BeBlue🤍 💙 pic.twitter.com/8whwdsLIK8
— Drake Women’s Hoops (@DrakeWBB) June 16, 2023
Celebrations of Brinkmeyer VanDeventer’s life will be held Monday at South Hardin Middle School in Hubbard, while the visitation will be held Sunday.