The Drake Bulldogs upset the Indiana State Sycamores in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship on Sunday, March 10 under the guidance of Darian DeVries, to secure an NCAA bid.
The Bulldogs held a 13-point lead in the first half, a lead that would grow to 18 before Indiana State took a one-point lead after six minutes of game time.
With only 4:08 left on the clock, it looked as if that would be the end of Drake’s run, but Tucker DeVries found a path into the lane and with a jumper and tied the game after a valiant Bulldog effort.
When the clock expired, the Bulldogs had won and it was a bag of mixed emotions for the DeVries family. Elation, excitement, but also sadness in a time of remembrance.
Coach DeVries signaled for his brother, Jared, to come down to the first row before the two brothers embraced. Jared, a former NFL defensive lineman who played 11 years for the Detroit Lions and head coach of the Clear Lake Lions, was emotional, along with the rest of the DeVries family. The family was in tears, although many watching the interaction may not have known why it was such an emotional moment.
Easton DeVries, son of Jared and Jamie DeVries and nephew of coach Darian DeVries and cousin of Tucker DeVries, died July 28, 2023 at age 19 after a lifetime congenital heart condition.
Speaking with the Mirror-Reporter on Monday, Jared’s voice was hoarse after the emotional rollercoaster of the previous night.
“After Easton passed, there have been a lot of firsts,” said Jared DeVries. “It hit me a lot harder than I thought it would. We made a lot of memories here over the years. We have been coming here since Darian played at UNI [University of Northern Iowa] in 1993 and then when he went to Creighton.”
Easton, his brother, Jaylen and cousin, Tucker, were always there to support the Bulldogs when Darian took the head coach position six years ago, and of course when Tucker became one of the best players for Drake.
“Special moments like this can be hard, but we continue to make great memories,” said Jared.
Athletics, as one can imagine, are a big part of the DeVries family, and it has always been something that the family uses as a way to get together and have a good time, make more memories and enjoy life and this one will be one that stays with the family forever.
Shortly after the game, an article from Sports Illustrated was shared around social media with area news outlets commenting on the life of Easton, showing just how much of an impact the young man made in his 19 years.
“It speaks volumes about who he was as a young man,” said Jared. “He touched a lot of lives. Jamie [Easton’s mother] always said he could make lemonade out of lemons.”
Not only were those in the Clear Lake area touched by Easton’s life, but he will now be able to help those in Michigan.
The Detroit Lions honored the 19-year old by selling Carhartt coats. The team will donate a portion of the proceeds to a Michigan hospital where Easton received most of his treatments throughout his young life.
“We were very fortunate to take in some Lions games this season. The Campbell family is so gracious,” said Jared about his former teammate and current head coach of the Detroit Lions Dan Campbell. “They had a great season and it was so great for the fan base, but they also bought a seat in Dallas for the playoff game for Easton. It was special.”
The DeVries family won’t forget Sunday’s win any time soon and while Easton may not have been in the arena physically he was there in spirit.
