A Legacy of Leaders: Tracing the History of Grand Canyon University Basketball Coaches

Introduction

Grand Canyon University (GCU), founded in 1949 in Prescott, Arizona, boasts a rich history in athletics, particularly in men's basketball. From its humble beginnings as Grand Canyon College to its current status as a Division I university, the men's basketball program has been shaped by a succession of dedicated coaches. This article explores the history of Grand Canyon Antelopes men's basketball head coaches, highlighting key figures and their contributions to the program's evolution.

Early Years and Foundational Figures

Grand Canyon College formed its first men’s basketball team in 1950. Under the coaching of Howard Mansfield, the team consisted of 10 students. Each of the student-athletes had a job on top of their schooling, so practice was held in shifts. The team played eight games that season and lost every one. A hard loss, but it made the next season that much sweeter when the team won its first game.

Ben Lindsey: A Winning Legacy

Ben Lindsey stands as the winningest head coach in Antelopes men's basketball history. Lindsey's impact extended beyond wins and losses, as he inspired future coaches like Gary Ernst and J.C. Helton who both played basketball at Grand Canyon, for coach Ben Lindsey when he was starting out toward winning 317 games, the most in school history. One coach begets two more, and they combine for 2,024 victories. Both former players speak in equally glowing terms about their old coach, and Helton’s relationship with Lindsey goes beyond his playing days - he later served as his assistant coach for four years and used to live across the street from him. "I knew when they went into coaching that they were going to make good coaches,” Lindsey said. “That competitive spirit carried over into their coaching. They both worked very hard.

NAIA Era: National Championships

During its time as a member of the NAIA, the men's basketball team achieved significant success, winning national championships in 1975, 1978, and 1988. These victories underscore the program's historical strength and its ability to compete at a national level.

Transition and Growth

Dan Majerle: "Thunder Dan" Era

In March 2013, former Phoenix Suns shooting guard Dan Majerle, affectionately known as "Thunder Dan," became the 13th men's basketball coach. Majerle's hiring marked a significant moment in GCU's athletic history, as his popularity in Phoenix helped generate public buzz and growth for the university. Majerle lead the charge of GCU’s transition into Division I athletics.

Majerle had a great start to his tenure, guiding GCU through one of the greatest transition periods ever. GCU won 81 games during their transition period, built a brand with their student section, and played marquee games against the likes of Kentucky, Duke, Indiana, New Mexico, San Diego State and Louisville. GCU had a lot of momentum in their first season of postseason eligibility. The Lopes were building on their third-straight 22-win season, had built a national brand from their student section, were attracting some of the nation’s top grad transfers and became the first NCAA program to win 100 games in its first five years of existence.

Despite the initial success, Majerle's tenure faced challenges, including player development and roster turnover. Majerle guided GCU to four 20 win seasons and made two made the WAC Championship game, losing to New Mexico State both times. Majerle’s teams struggled to play against better competition. In seven seasons, Dan Majerle went 2-11 against WAC power New Mexico State; most of those losses came by double-digits. Thunder Dan finished 5-27 against Ken Pom top 150 teams, with four of those wins were against Utah Valley.

Ultimately, Dan Majerle is no longer GCU’s head basketball coach, according to a Grand Canyon University press release from March 12. The Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member is coming off his worst season, in which he finished 13-17 and finished tied for fifth in the WAC with an 8-8 record. It was his only sub-. 500 finish as a head coach. On March 12, GCU representatives made these comments in their press release.”We have made the decision to move in a new direction with our men’s basketball program,” GCU President Brian Mueller said. “We wish Coach Majerle the best of luck in his future endeavors.”“GCU has become a premier mid-major basketball destination with its resources, facilities, and student and community support,” GCU Strategic Advisor and Phoenix sports icon Jerry Colangelo said. “We look forward to the future of the program under the direction of the new head coach.”Former New Mexico State and UNLV head coach Marvin Menzies was immediately named the interim head coach. Majerle held a 136-86 overall record in 7 years as Grand Canyon’s head coach.

Transition to Division I

GCU's transition to Division I athletics marked a new chapter for the university and its basketball program. In November 2012, Grand Canyon University accepted an invitation to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The university's athletic brand standards reflect its commitment to excellence and its desire to compete at the highest level.

The Current Era

Bryce Drew: Leading the Antelopes

Grand Canyon's current head coach is Bryce Drew was named the new GCU men's basketball head coach on March 17, 2020. Drew was previously the head coach of Valparaiso University. The Grand Canyon Antelopes men's basketball team represents Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. They are a member of the Mountain West Conference. They are led by head coach Bryce Drew and play their home games at Global Credit Union Arena.

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Program Achievements and NCAA Tournament Appearances

Grand Canyon has appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments. The Antelopes have appeared in ten NCAA Division II tournaments. The Antelopes have appeared in 10 NAIA tournaments. The Antelopes have appeared in three Division I CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) Tournaments. The Antelopes have appeared in the Division I College Basketball Invitational (CBI) two times.

GCU History and Traditions

GCU was founded in 1949 in Prescott, AZ. Originally named Grand Canyon College, the institution welcomed 95 students that first semester. In 1949, the first students voted on what they wanted the school’s nickname to be. It came down to the Antelopes and the Donkeys. Thankfully, the students picked the Antelopes. The name Thunder was chosen for GCU’s mascot because of the rumbling sound of an antelope herd migrating across the plains. The Lopes Up hand symbol was created in 1996 by student Jim D'Apice, who felt the campus community needed a way to show its spirit. It was slow to catch on and didn’t really take off until 2009, when freshman Taylor Griffin approached the cheerleaders about starting a chant during free throws at basketball games. GCU’s original colors were maroon and gold, but students voted to change them to purple and white when the college moved to Phoenix to distinguish it from Arizona State University. Black was later added as an official school color. Before they were a nationally recognized student section, one that fuels the biggest party in college basketball that we all know today, the Havocs looked a little different. In 2010, the small group was called the Canyon Crazies. When GCU’s new arena opened in 2012, the Crazies got a new name, the Monsoon. To prepare for GCU’s transition to Division I in the 2013-14 school year, former Director of Spirit Programs Emily Stephens put out a call to discuss starting a special section within the Monsoon, and the Havocs were born.

GCU students will camp out for anything. They pitch tents and hang hammocks in front of GCU Arena days beforehand to get premium spots for Midnight Madness, the first basketball game of the season and games against key rivals or big-name opponents. Daniel Elliott started the tradition in 2015 - and Camp Elliott continues today. It is managed by the Havocs, GCU’s nationally renowned student section.

In 2014, the College of Business became the Colangelo College of Business, bearing the name of sports and business icon Jerry Colangelo. Mr. Colangelo has been a longtime supporter and advisor of the university, helping usher GCU into its Division I sports era and shaping the sports business programs.

T.C. Dean became Grand Canyon’s first Black graduate in 1959 and went on to a 50-year career in Phoenix schools as a teacher and administrator.

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