Brad Stevens caps whirlwind week by fulfilling a promise to an ex-Butler star
At the end of what had to be the most exhilarating yet draining week of his coaching career, new Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens still had one final commitment to fulfill.
He flew from Boston to Connersville, Ind. to ride in the town's bicentennial parade Saturday morning with ex-Butler star Matt Howard.
Stan Howard, Matt's father, told the Indianapolis Star he originally asked Stevens to appear in the parade last summer He expected Stevens to renege on the commitment after the Celtics hired him on Wednesday, but the coach sent word via Matt that he planned to make good on his promise.
“There’s one side of me that was like, there’s no possible way he’ll be able to make it,” Stan told the Star. “But there’s another side, the side that knows Brad Stevens. If you’re loyal to him, he is loyal to you. Part of me just said, ‘That dude’s going to find a way to get here!’
“It speaks volumes of the man. And it means the world to me.”
It indeed is a testament to Stevens' integrity that he would spend the day after his introductory press conference in Boston signing autographs and waving at fans in Connersville.
Stevens may no longer be the coach at Butler, but it's clear he still treasures the time he spent at the school.
