Deb and Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., can’t explain it.
“Maybe we share some mutant gene,” Kyle said.
Whatever it is, there’s no disputing that the Meyers produced four special boys who delivered one amazing accomplishment — each played on a state championship basketball team in high school and each went on to play college ball.
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Tom O’Connor |
Kyle, now the associate dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, made the high school basketball team but rarely played. Deb, who is the associate research subject advocate, was on the pom pom squad.
“For Deb, it was love at first sight,” Kyle joked. “It wasn’t until our freshman year in college that I finally asked her out.”
They got married in their junior year and soon the boys started coming. First Ryan, then Josh, Jesse and Jake.
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Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Allied Health Professions, and his wife, Deb Meyer, associate research subject advocate, will watch their youngest son, Jake, play his final college basketball game on Saturday. The Meyers have raised four boys, all of whom played college basketball. |
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The Meyer boys, from left, Ryan, Josh, Jesse and Jake, all won high school state titles. |
The rest is history. Woodard went on to become head coach at Roncalli High School and then Bellevue West High School. The Meyer boys followed him.
Under Woodard’s direction, the boys went to seven state tournaments and won five championships.
Woodard loved coaching the Meyers.
“Great family. Great work ethic,” he said. “A total joy to coach. They’re winners. I miss them dearly.”
Pictures hang in Kyle’s office celebrating his sons’ achievements. After 22 years and more than 1,100 games, the ride ends Saturday when Jake plays his last game for Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo.
Kyle and Deb will be there. It will be bittersweet.
“We have tremendous memories and met some wonderful people,” Deb said. “Basketball provided the boys outstanding educations and took them to amazing places they never would have gone.”
Three Meyer boys are married and four grandchildren now just need a fifth to show up and fill out the next Meyer squad. Somewhere, Woodard is smiling.
Ad”Meyer”able
| Name/Age | Height/Position | High School/Championship | College/Division |
| Ryan – 31 | 6-foot-5 center | Roncalli – Class B 1996 | Doane College – NAIA |
| Josh – 29 | 6-foot-6 guard | Roncalli – Class B 1996 | Brown Univ. – Div. I |
| Jesse – 25 | 6-foot-4 guard | Bellevue West – Class A 2000 | Univ. of Chicago – Div. III |
| Jake – 22 | 6-foot-5 forward | Bellevue West – Class A 2004/2005 | Rockhurst Univ. – Div. II |
Couldn't have happened to a nicer set of parents.
After following their boy's high school careers, and believe me they all can play, I only wish I could be in Kansas City to witness one last harrah!!
Congratulations!!
I echo Steve Brown's comment: great parents = great kids. You are wonderful role models for those of us with younger kids!!
My daughter was a cheerleader at Roncalli HS when 2 of the Meyer boys were on the Class B State Championship team. I never made the connection to Kyle until this article came out. What an athletic family!!!
Great article, Tom, and I couldn't agree more with the previous comments. I just want to add one thing that was missing. Each of the Meyer boys excelled academically as well as on the court, and that is reflected in the prestigious colleges they attended and the successful careers they have embarked upon. Kyle and Deb were masters at helping their sons combine hard work with their athletic and academic talent to get great educations. Great role models for those of us with younger children (no matter how old we might be).
What great athletes! Congratulations!
But more to the point, what beautiful and tall young men! And Kyle, one of those attributes was not a shared gene:>):>)
Congratulations from Eve and Fred Simon to Kyle and Deb.
Regards, Fred from 6th floor, Jlofts.
Deb & Kyle.. What a great story, solid family — and wonderful pictures!
Kyle and Deb, I remember watching Jesse play against our son, Mitch (Burke). I still miss those days. Congratulations on such a great story.
Kyle and Deb – A fabulous story! Inquiring minds want to know just how many basketball games you have attended?!
I am so proud of all of you! Kyle and Deb sacrificed many years and did a fabulous job in raising these great kids. Their faith is at the core of all their accomplishments. They are each a role model who demonstrates that success in life starts with the spirit within. Love you guys!!
What a great article!!! I am sure you are VERY proud!!!