Our prayers go out to the entire Brey family.
On the same day Notre Dame coach Mike Brey finally earned his first Sweet 16 berth, he lost the most important woman in his life.
Brey announced minutes after the Irish’s 67-64 win over Butler on Saturday that his mother, Betty, had died that morning of a heart attack. She was 84.
“It was kind of a tribute to her,” Brey said of the game. “It was really a special night. … I think she was definitely with us down the stretch.”
Brey said he spoke with his brother and sister — who encouraged him to coach his team.