Draper Reflects on Hall of Fame Career

by John Unrein

Grain Valley Lady Eagles Head Basketball Coach Randy Draper was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on April 13th.

Draper has many fond memories of a career that has been spent giving time and knowledge to others.

Getting the honor of having a conversation with Coach Draper is always a joy. Anyone who listens will leave with a smile and something positive that they may apply to their life.

Coach Draper’s career started during the 1985-86 school year at Madison, Missouri which is approximately 12 miles east of Moberly on Highway 24. Draper recalls it like it was yesterday.

“The town’s population was the same size as my high school graduating class of 640 people. I still remember the sign outside of town. It was a good first job to have. My players were patient while I was young and learning what to do.

I coached both basketball and baseball. The baseball part was interesting with me being a college tennis player.”

The roots of influence to get into coaching run deep for Draper. He identifies his Dad and former Mizzou Head Basketball Coach Norm Stewart as the two people who have had the greatest impact on his values as an educator.

“I remember going to my Dad’s games and watching him. I definitely had a role model in knowing how to act in my future profession. I was also fortunate enough to work for Coach Stewart two years as a student assistant as well as a graduate assistant. I learned an awful lot,” Draper said.

The game of basketball has evolved during Draper’s time on the sideline. He’s embraced innovations to the game that have come and are potentially on the horizon.

“My first job when I started, there wasn’t a three-point line. It’s changed the game a lot for the better. I also think we will see the shot clock at the high school level at some point in the future. People shouldn’t worry about the shot clock. The game is now played faster and that’s fun to watch,” Draper said.

Coach Draper’s grin gets a little wider and the pace of his speech faster when speaking about what he’s enjoyed the most about coaching.

“There’s nothing like having a team. There’s something about a group with a common goal willing to sacrifice for the greater good that’s special. The relationships you develop through coaching are lifelong. People don’t realize the time you spend together as a team chasing goals. I’ve never found anything else quite like it.”

“Competition is a value we need to embrace and participating in activities allows for that to happen. Everything doesn’t happen perfectly in life. Things still get done when things don’t go well. You learn to count on yourself and others when you compete in a team sport. You learn how to work with other people in life and have confidence in yourself when you choose to compete,” Draper said.

Seeking first to understand and then being understood is a lesson in listening and patience that many from Coach Draper’s generation possess. He will provide advice if asked. When posed with the question of what guidance he would offer young people in his profession, he paused and gave three suggestions.

“First, you need to understand the most important part of being an educator are the interpersonal relationships and that they reward you for a long, long, time if you put in the effort. Next, put the kids first. Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy it. We get stressed in the profession and we forget it’s a game that’s about having fun.”

Being a Grain Valley Eagle has been special to Coach Draper.

“I’ve been here long enough that I’ve coached in class size 2, 3, 4, and 5 all at Grain Valley. I’ve seen a lot of change. Our student body is into activities and rooting for their fellow students. It’s a big challenge to keep some of the small school advantages while getting bigger and the school has done a great job with that. Our student body is still connected, and it makes game days a lot of fun.”

“I’ve been really lucky to be here. I’ve been at Grain Valley for 24 years and I still love it. I was out of coaching for 5 years while my son went through. I told my wife recently that I’ve been appreciated by Grain Valley. I’ve been smart enough to stay doing what I love to do and that’s important,” Draper said.

An individual like Coach Draper who connects with a community and gives selflessly has profound positive influence. A link to Coach Draper’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech can be found at www.grainvalleynews.com.