Drake weathered adversity on journey to 2025 Silver Anniversary Team

Athletics can teach life lessons and enable individuals to confront challenges and ultimately attain success beyond their dreams and expectations.

This has certainly been the case for Mark Drake.

Drake’s impressive athletic achievements have earned him numerous accolades over the years with the most recent being the announcement of his inclusion on the 2025 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2025 Silver Anniversary team.

“This is truly an honor and one I never expected,” said Drake (photo playing in Garrett Gymnasium).

The Shelbyville native’s statistics provide a sports resume that is undeniably profound:

• One of only 10 Shelbyville boys basketball players to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau
• The 2000 Paul Cross Award winner
• A three-year All-Conference selection
• Named an honorable mention All-State performer following his senior season.

He also distinguished himself on the gridiron as a member of three All-Hoosier Heritage Conference teams. Drake currently ranks second on the Golden Bears’ career list for passing yards.

Growing up as the son of a coach and athletic director, Drake seemed to always find himself in the gym or around a playing field.

“My earliest memories are of being in gyms and around schools,” said Drake. “I developed a love and appreciation for sports and having the opportunity to play.”

Mark’s father, Steve (photo, center), a former Shelbyville basketball standout and later a long-time SHS teacher, coach and athletic director encouraged his children, Mark (photo, right), and younger brother, Sean (photo, left), to participate in sports.

“Dad taught me about basketball and what it took to be an effective player,” said Mark. “He also made sure that Sean and I had opportunities for participation; to be involved.”

That passion and encouragement led Mark (photo, right) to numerous leagues at the Boys and Girls Club, travel basketball, school competition and endless pick-up games.

“I loved the competition and would play at every opportunity,” he said. “I routinely played a lot with my dad’s friends and against older, stronger guys. That was a big factor in strengthening my game.

“I watched so many basketball games growing up and I always had one primary goal. I always wanted to be a Golden Bear basketball player.”

And, in pursuit of that end he spent endless hours sharpening his skills.

“You could easily find me during those years because I would most likely be at the Boys and Girls Club or the high school,” he said.

Drake played with The Athlete, a travel team based in Lafayette, during high school. That team included future fellow silver anniversary teammates Mickey McGill and Austin Parkinson. McGill would go on to play at the University of Indianapolis while Parkinson followed in his father’s footsteps as a four-year player at Purdue. The team claimed an AAU National Championship in the summer of 1995.

“We played against so many great players during those AAU days,” recalled Drake. “There were future NBA players like Zach Randolph (Marion) and Jared Jeffries (Bloomington North). It was tremendous competition that made me a much better player.”

Drake became a four-year starter for the Golden Bears and led the team in scoring his junior and senior seasons. Shelbyville lost a hard-fought sectional championship game at Garrett Gymnasium his junior season against a talented Mount Vernon team and that provided a watershed moment for Drake and his junior teammates.

“Kyle Fix, Jason West and I went to the top of the gym after the game that night and watched Mount Vernon cut down the nets,” said Drake. “We decided that that was going to be us next year.”

Drake missed four games that senior season with a hairline fracture in his foot, however he was ready by tournament time. Shelbyville capped off head coach John Heaton’s final season with the Golden Bears and the seniors made good on their resolution as they captured the 2000 Shelbyville Sectional crown with a 45-42 title-game victory over New Palestine.

The Golden Bears lost a hotly contested 7-point verdict in the Shelbyville Regional to Indianapolis Brebeuf the next week. Brebeuf went on to win the 2000 Class 3A state championship.

A plethora of honors poured in for Drake following the season. He accepted the opportunity to continue his basketball playing career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Mark was eagerly looking forward to college following his high school graduation, but then his mother, Dona, became severely ill in June. She was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in early August at the age of 48.

“That was a devastating loss,” said Mark. “It all happened so fast. You feel lost losing a parent at 18 and I had to really fight through it.”

Dona Drake worked as a dental technician for 31 years. She was known as a kind, caring person who earned the respect and admiration of those who knew her.

“She always seemed to know what to say, and how to say it,” concluded Mark.

Following his mother’s death, Drake chose to delay his matriculation to Alaska-Anchorage and take a year off. He worked at the Boys and Girls Club during that time and even contemplated completely forgoing his college plans.

Former SHS administrator, coach and current Plainfield Schools Superintendent Scott Olinger advised Drake as he was wavering.

“I had been in a similar situation,” said Olinger. “I lost my mom my junior year in college, so I could relate to how he was feeling. I had known Mark since he was very young and was one of his high school football coaches. I believed I needed to tell him how important it was for him to stay on course and not deviate from his original plan.”

Drake is grateful for Olinger’s advice.

“I am forever thankful for those conversations with Scott Olinger,” said Drake. “It’s extraordinary to think how a trusted mentor can point your life in the correct direction. I am eternally grateful for his guidance.”

Drake compiled an impressive career with the Seawolves (photo). He started most games throughout his four years there, scored 1,173 points (11.0 ppg), set a UAA record for free throw accuracy and currently ranks third on the career 3-point ledger. He was twice named the team’s most inspirational player and was selected as 2001-02 conference Freshman of the Year.

He recalls many memorable moments at Alaska-Anchorage.

“I played against IU in the Great Alaska Shootout my freshman year,” remembers Drake. “The game was on television and I had 11 points. I hit nine 3-pointers in a game against Western Oregon in 2002.

“Probably the most exciting game was when we upset Alaska-Fairbanks. I had 32 points and my dad surprised me by being there for the game. That was a huge thrill; to have my dad there and I can still hear the crowd chanting my name on Senior Night.”

Drake remained in Anchorage following college. He went to television station KIMO to inquire about an internship and came away with a job. He eventually became the sports anchor and worked some in news and weather. He did radio broadcasts for local high school sports as well.

After 10 years with KIMO, Drake moved to Nevada to work for the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League. He broadcast the team’s games and worked in sales for two years.

Drake returned to the Shelbyville area in October of 2016 and began work for the Service Crane Company. 

Mark’s 7-year partner Natalie “Noelle” Nolton (photo, center, with Keaten, left, and Mark, right) died in May of 2023 following a three-year battle with cancer.

“She courageously battled an extremely painful disease,” said Drake. The couple had been together since 2017.

Mark adopted Noelle’s son, Keaten Nolton Drake, who is now a junior at Indianapolis Scecina High School where he is a member of the baseball team.

One cannot help but appreciate the excruciating irony of the tragedy.

Drake reports that he and Keaten are working each day to come to terms with the situation.

“I know what it means to lose your mother early,” said Drake. “Keaten is roughly the same age I was when my mom died. I think that helps us get through it together. We have that in common. We talk through similar emotions that come with losing a mother at an early age.”

The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 63^rd Men’s Awards Banquet will be held on March 19 at Primo Banquet in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Today, Drake is employed in sales at Custom MCK and is an owner of Custom Manufacturing Enterprises, located on Shelbyville’s west side. He navigates a busy schedule as parent and businessman and still enjoys filling in as a member of the GIANT fm sports broadcast team. His primary focus, though, is on his son.

“Keaten is turning 17 this month,” said Drake. “I want him to have a bright future and the great opportunities that I had.”

Induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is the pinnacle for Indiana players and coaches. Drake is no exception.

“I want everyone to know how proud I am to represent Shelbyville and Shelbyville High School,” said Drake. “I was fortunate to have many remarkable people help me achieve and I am truly grateful. I share this honor with the people of Shelbyville.”

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