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Fabrizius’ parents fit in with Flyer Faithful

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer 8:48 AM Monday, February 7, 2011

Luke Fabrizius’ parents seldom miss a chance to see their son play for the University of Dayton basketball team, traveling from the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill., for the majority of home and away games.

But while Chuck and Julie Fabrizius have never balked at the sacrifices that come with making those trips, UD coach Brian Gregory, an Arlington Heights native himself, joked that the junior forward wouldn’t be getting so much family love without some under-the-table financial help.

“That’s one of the reasons Luke signed here. I promised his parents we’d pay for all their travel,” Gregory kidded. “My parents are funneling money to them.”

Actually, the expense for gas, hotels and occasional airfare isn’t cheap. But Chuck and Julie Fabrizius can’t think of a better way to spend their money.

Chuck has worked for Walgreens at the corporate level for 23 years and has four weeks of vacation. UD games will eat up three of them, and he’ll usually take a half-day at a time so he doesn’t miss a full day at work.

Julie is employed part-time, giving her the flexibility she needs. And after three years of making that five-hour drive, they certainly have no need for Mapquest.

“We know all the exit numbers and know where all the gas stations and Starbucks are,” Chuck said.

“It is a lot of hours on the road. We try to make it easy. One of us drives, and the other will watch a movie on a portable DVD player. We get some books on CDs and iPods to make the trip a little faster.”

The couple made 15 of 18 home games when Luke was a freshman and about the same number during his sophomore year. They took in the Puerto Rico Tip-off Classic last season and haven’t missed a game at Saint Louis the last three years.

“It’s actually 45 minutes closer to us than Dayton,” Chuck said.

Julie traveled with other family members to New Mexico, Richmond and the Atlantic 10 tournament last season when Chuck couldn’t get away.

They both recently made the jaunt to the Flyers’ game at Massachusetts. Luke’s lone sibling, Brian, is a 6-foot-11 center playing for Kimball Union Academy, a prep school in New Hampshire, and Chuck and Julie saw both sons in action during the Northeast swing.

“We love it,” Chuck said. “Your kids are only young once, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Brian is being courted by Division I colleges, which could present some scheduling challenges next season.

“We don’t know how we’re going to handle that,” Chuck said. “We’re going to wait to see where Brian ends up first. Brian may end up out on the East Coast, so that may be more difficult to get to. We’re lucky Dayton is close enough where we can see a lot of Luke’s games.”

The most devoted member of Luke’s inner circle, though, is Maggie Tunney of Mount Prospect, Ill., his girlfriend since their high school days. A University of Illinois student, Tunney has taken a Greyhound bus to Dayton about eight times in the last two years, leaving at 6 p.m. and arriving at 6 a.m. on game days, including a four-hour rest stop in Indianapolis.

She’s finally gotten a car, so the trips haven’t been so grueling this year.

“She would take that rough Greyhound ride and come down here to make sure she made it to the games,” Luke said with amazement. “She’s great ... I’d go to class, and she’d catch up on her sleep and then again when we were at practice. It ended up working out.”

Chuck and Julie always huddle with Luke after games and usually stay overnight before traveling home.

“They’re so supportive of me no matter what,” Luke said. “Seeing them behind the bench makes you more comfortable, knowing I could go to them for anything.

“It was the same way in high school. My dad probably didn’t miss a game at all.”

Luke could have made it easier on everyone by picking a college close to home. He also was heavily recruited by Northwestern, located in nearby Evanston, Ill.

But his parents have no qualms with his choice. One of the perks is being part of the vibrant UD Arena atmosphere.

“I think it’s great that he made it to this level. He’s worked really hard. We’re proud of him, and we certainly enjoy the environment,” Chuck said. “Dayton is a great school, for one, and a great basketball town. Fan support is great.

“It’s so much fun coming to a packed arena almost every night, seeing them cheer on the team and cheer on my son. It’s a wonderful experience.”

And those L-u-u-u-k-e chants from the home fans?

“It is fun to hear that,” Chuck said, “especially when he’s on his game.”

Contact this writer at (937)  225-2125 or dharris@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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