Andrew "Andy" R. Carrier

Andrew “Andy” R. Carrier, 65, passed away on Monday, July 1st, 2024 surrounded by loved ones at Olathe Medical Center.

Andy was born on March 2, 1959 in Council Grove, Kansas, the son of Andrew and Bonnie Carrier. He graduated from Council Grove High School in 1977.

Andy graduated from Bethany College in 1981 (Business/Economics) and earned a Master's Degree from Emporia State University in 1986 (Physical Education and Exercise Physiology). He had a stand-out career in basketball and golf while at Bethany, earning eight varsity letters. He was a two-time all-conference performer in basketball and led the Swedes to back-to-back KCAC titles in 1980 and ‘81. He was also a member of the NAIA All-District 10 basketball team in 1981. Andy was inducted into the Bethany College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996 as an All-Conference honoree for both basketball and golf.

Andy played semi-professional basketball in Australia in 1981 and 1985.

Andy served as an assistant basketball coach at Emporia State University, Washburn University and Fort Hays State University.

Andy spent 24 years as the head men's basketball coach at Ottawa University. He ranks first in career wins at OU with 306. Carrier led the Braves to five trips to the NAIA National Tournament (1993, 1995, 2002, 2008 and 2009). The Braves were NAIA District 10 Champions in ’93 and earned both the regular season and tournament KCAC Championships in ’95 and ’02. They were again KCAC Champions in 2008 and won the KCAC Tournament Championship the following year.

He was honored as the NAIA District 10 Coach of the Year in 1993, received the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Award in 1995 and 2009, and was selected as the KCAC Coach of the Year in 1995, 2002 and 2008. Inside Wilson Field House, on October 12, 2019, Ottawa University proudly dedicated the "Andy Carrier Court" in his honor.

In addition to coaching basketball, Andy served Ottawa University as Director of Enrollment, Director of Athletics, and Dean of Student Affairs. He held the office of Vice-President for the KCAC and was voted the conference's Athletic Administrator of the Year three times (1999, 2000 and 2005). He was inducted into the Braves Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011. Andy served as Associate Professor at OU and taught in both the Physical Education department and the Liberal Arts Studies program.

Andy was a passionate bass fisherman, avid tournament fisherman, and enjoyed spreading that love with family and friends on the water.

Survivors include son, Andrew Carrier, daughters Kailea Carrier and Skylar Stewart, her husband Steven Stewart and their three children Sierra, Sawyer, and Scottie, brother Gary Carrier, his wife Jodee and their children Brooklyn and Kyle, his wife Kimberly and daughter Addison.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Bonnie Carrier, and sister Linda Krause.

The celebration of life will take place at the Fredrickson Chapel on the Ottawa University Campus, Thursday, July 11th at 10am.

Andy was a friend to many and a stranger to none.



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