Sept. 28, 2013
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Glancing at the Notre Dame men’s basketball schedule, head coach Mike Brey always knew that when his team played at Maryland on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, it would conjure up memories of his days growing up in his home state.
Brey’s journey back to his native Rockville, Md., area just became more special when it was announced this evening that he would be inducted into the George Washington University Athletics Hall of Fame. Brey will be honored by his alma mater on the eve of Notre Dame’s matchup with the Terrapins on Tuesday, Jan. 14, during a special halftime ceremony at the Colonials’ men’s basketball game against VCU at the Charles E. Smith Center.
Brey is among seven former student-athletes comprising the 2014 George Washington Athletics Hall of Fame class. In addition to Brey, a 1982 the class includes Greg Condon (’03, Baseball), Kwame Evans (’96, Men’s Basketball), Cathy Joens (’04, Women’s Basketball), Elena Meyer (’07, Softball) and Kim Warner (’04, Women’s Soccer).
“I am humbled by this incredible honor,” Brey said. “George Washington always will be a very special place for the entire Brey family and me. My two years going to school there were certainly some of the best times of my life and my basketball experience was a heck of an experience and a fun time.
“When GW athletic director Patrick Nero called me the other night, I kidded with him and said that they should be inducting my mother Betty and wife Tish because they were far more accomplished then me. I am thrilled though that the Hall of Fame Committee thought so much of me. It’s going to be a very special and emotional night for me. The school has, and always will, hold a very special place in my heart. I am looking forward to an evening that will certainly take me down memory lane.”
Brey played one season (1981-82) at George Washington (1981-82) after transferring from Northwestern State from 1977-80. During his one season on the Colonials’ roster, he averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 assists while serving as team captain. He played led George Washington in assists that season with 116 in 24 games and earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education.
While Brey may have played only one season at George Washington, the Washington, D.C., school and the holds a very special place in the hearts of the for the entire Brey family. His mother, Betty, a former world record holder in the butterfly and a member of the 1956 Unites State team at the ’56 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, was the women’s swimming coach at George Washington, while his father Paul, a high school athletics director in Maryland, received his master’s degree from the University. Brey’s wife, the former Tish Schlapo, also is a 1982 graduate of the school and was a standout volleyball player for the Colonials for four seasons.
A committee of 12 former George Washington student-athletes, coaches and administrators, who represented a diverse background of sports and eras, voted for the ’14 GW Athletic Hall of Fame class.