Episode 10: Episode 10: Drew McDonald

Drew McDonald has a strong lineage when it comes to athletes in his family especially on his mom’s side of the family. It starts with his grandfather Tom Freppon who played basketball at Newport Catholic High School and Xavier University during the late-1950’s and early-1960’s.
Tom Freppon had four children and at least four grandchildren that all played college athletics:
* Son Tom Jr played basketball at Thomas More
* Tom, Jr.’s two daughters Kaela Jo (Xavier/NKU) and Mikah (Lewis) both played college volleyball
* Daughter Pam (Wurtz) played volleyball at Western Kenutcky
* Daughter Debbie (Zegarra) played volleyball at Midway
* Daughter Christie (Drew’s mom) played basketball at NKU
* Christie’s daughter (Drew’s sister) Rachel McDonald currently plays volleyball at SIU-Edwardsville
Drew’s father Jeff McDonald was a tennis player at Northern Kentucky.
Young Drew McDonald didn’t get toys from Santa Claus as a youngster, instead he was left sports equipment under the tree each Christmas morning.
Growing up Drew was a fixture in the basketball gym. While his mom Christie coached the girls basketball team at Newport Central Catholic he started as a water boy, became a team manager and eventually a practice player all before he was in high school.
He followed his family by attending Newport Central Catholic High School and playing basketball for head coaches Grant Brannen and Hall of Famer Ron Dawn. During his time on “The Hill” Drew’s teams won three All-A Classic state tournament championships.
Like his parents, Drew signed to play basketball at Northern Kentucky University. He committed to Norse head coach Dave Bezold but he was let go before Drew’s senior season.
NKU hired another New Cath alum, and older brother of his high school coach, John Brannen. Brannen reassures Drew that he wants to build the program with Drew as a key contributor.
After a tough freshman season where the Norse only win nine games, NKU puts together a dream season in 2016-17. The team becomes just the second team to advance to the NCAA tournament in its first season of eligibility since 1970.
Drew talks about the unlikely Horizon League tournament championship run and playing Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2018, NKU had an incredible run where they won 17 home games on its way to the Horizon League regular season championship. Unfortunately, the Norse, as the number-one seed, get bounced in the first round of the league tournament.
After the loss to Cleveland State, NKU is invited to play in the NIT against another in-state opponent the Louisville Cardinals.
Drew’s senior season is up-and-down as he suffers a back injury in February and NKU goes on a three-game losing streak. However, the Norse bounce back and make another NCAA tournament appearance.
In the semifinals of the Horizon League tournament he hits a last second three-point shot to beat Oakland and advance into the championship game against Wright State.
After the Norse dispose of Wright State to win its second tournament crown in three seasons, NKU draws Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Drew describes the Red Raiders as the best team that he played against in college and is very complimentary of head coach Chris Beard. After beating NKU, Texas Tech advances to the championship game where they lost to Virginia for the national championship.
Drew reflects back on some of his individual accomplishments that include a 37-point game, with 30-points in the first half, against Cleveland State. He joined the 1,000-point club along with his mother Christie (Freppon) and becomes the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in the program’s history.
After briefly considering either playing basketball professionally or returning to NKU for a 5th-season of eligibility on the golf team, Drew decides to officially retire from active competition.
You can follow Drew McDonald on Twitter @atmcdonald34 (https://twitter.com/atmcdonald34)
You can follow Brady Laber on Twitter @BradyLaber1 (https://twitter.com/BradyLaber1) please use the hashtag #NobodysSafe
Check out the Nobody’s Safe website at nobodysssafe.fireside.fm (https://nobodysssafe.fireside.fm)
For more information on Stove Leg Media go the website StoveLeg.com (https://www.stoveleg.com) or send an email to [email protected]
Intro music for the podcast was provided by bensoud.com (https://www.bensound.com)

Drew McDonald has a strong lineage when it comes to athletes in his family especially on his mom’s side of the family. It starts with his grandfather Tom Freppon who played basketball at Newport Catholic High School and Xavier University during the late-1950’s and early-1960’s.

Tom Freppon had four children and at least four grandchildren that all played college athletics:

* Son Tom Jr played basketball at Thomas More

* Tom, Jr.’s two daughters Kaela Jo (Xavier/NKU) and Mikah (Lewis) both played college volleyball

* Daughter Pam (Wurtz) played volleyball at Western Kenutcky

* Daughter Debbie (Zegarra) played volleyball at Midway

* Daughter Christie (Drew’s mom) played basketball at NKU

* Christie’s daughter (Drew’s sister) Rachel McDonald currently plays volleyball at SIU-Edwardsville

Drew’s father Jeff McDonald was a tennis player at Northern Kentucky.

Young Drew McDonald didn’t get toys from Santa Claus as a youngster, instead he was left sports equipment under the tree each Christmas morning.

Growing up Drew was a fixture in the basketball gym. While his mom Christie coached the girls basketball team at Newport Central Catholic he started as a water boy, became a team manager and eventually a practice player all before he was in high school.

He followed his family by attending Newport Central Catholic High School and playing basketball for head coaches Grant Brannen and Hall of Famer Ron Dawn. During his time on “The Hill” Drew’s teams won three All-A Classic state tournament championships.

Like his parents, Drew signed to play basketball at Northern Kentucky University. He committed to Norse head coach Dave Bezold but he was let go before Drew’s senior season.

NKU hired another New Cath alum, and older brother of his high school coach, John Brannen. Brannen reassures Drew that he wants to build the program with Drew as a key contributor.

After a tough freshman season where the Norse only win nine games, NKU puts together a dream season in 2016-17. The team becomes just the second team to advance to the NCAA tournament in its first season of eligibility since 1970.

Drew talks about the unlikely Horizon League tournament championship run and playing Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2018, NKU had an incredible run where they won 17 home games on its way to the Horizon League regular season championship. Unfortunately, the Norse, as the number-one seed, get bounced in the first round of the league tournament.

After the loss to Cleveland State, NKU is invited to play in the NIT against another in-state opponent the Louisville Cardinals.

Drew’s senior season is up-and-down as he suffers a back injury in February and NKU goes on a three-game losing streak. However, the Norse bounce back and make another NCAA tournament appearance.

In the semifinals of the Horizon League tournament he hits a last second three-point shot to beat Oakland and advance into the championship game against Wright State.

After the Norse dispose of Wright State to win its second tournament crown in three seasons, NKU draws Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Drew describes the Red Raiders as the best team that he played against in college and is very complimentary of head coach Chris Beard. After beating NKU, Texas Tech advances to the championship game where they lost to Virginia for the national championship.

Drew reflects back on some of his individual accomplishments that include a 37-point game, with 30-points in the first half, against Cleveland State. He joined the 1,000-point club along with his mother Christie (Freppon) and becomes the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in the program’s history.

After briefly considering either playing basketball professionally or returning to NKU for a 5th-season of eligibility on the golf team, Drew decides to officially retire from active competition.

You can follow Drew McDonald on Twitter @atmcdonald34

You can follow Brady Laber on Twitter @BradyLaber1 please use the hashtag #NobodysSafe

Check out the Nobody’s Safe website at nobodysssafe.fireside.fm

For more information on Stove Leg Media go the website StoveLeg.com or send an email to [email protected]

Intro music for the podcast was provided by bensoud.com