Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Conference Making Way For CC
The pieces are falling into place for Central Catholic to join the Hoosier Athletic Conference.
The conference changed its bylaws on Wednesday to allow a team to join without having a unanimous decision by its members. Now, it only takes four of the seven schools.
“The meeting was about amending constitutional changes and bylaws that may down the road help adding a team,”Twin Lakes
Former AD Scott Leverenz said changing the rule has been talked about for more than two years. He also said the change was pushed because Central Catholic is looking for another conference after the 2010-11 school year.
“(Twin Lakes Lafayette
Central Catholic athletic director Tim Bordenet didn’t know about the rule change when contacted Thursday, but he does think it will help further conversations that the two sides have had.
“That would be a positive sign that at least some of their members are looking at adding,” Bordenet said. “Hopefully it will bode well for us in the future.”
With the prior rules the conference would have struggled reaching a unanimous decision on adding a team because of the conference’s diversity. Now, only one school can’t control the vote.
“Our conference is so diverse,”Adams said. “A unanimous decision is going to be difficult to get because of the size and interests with the schools.”
For instance, some schools don’t have teams to compete in conference tournaments. So, to have the ability to expand the conference with worthy schools is an option it needed and now exists.
“I know that the Hoosier Conference knows that we have interest,” Bordenet said.
The conference changed its bylaws on Wednesday to allow a team to join without having a unanimous decision by its members. Now, it only takes four of the seven schools.
“The meeting was about amending constitutional changes and bylaws that may down the road help adding a team,”
Former AD Scott Leverenz said changing the rule has been talked about for more than two years. He also said the change was pushed because Central Catholic is looking for another conference after the 2010-11 school year.
“(
Central Catholic athletic director Tim Bordenet didn’t know about the rule change when contacted Thursday, but he does think it will help further conversations that the two sides have had.
“That would be a positive sign that at least some of their members are looking at adding,” Bordenet said. “Hopefully it will bode well for us in the future.”
With the prior rules the conference would have struggled reaching a unanimous decision on adding a team because of the conference’s diversity. Now, only one school can’t control the vote.
“Our conference is so diverse,”
For instance, some schools don’t have teams to compete in conference tournaments. So, to have the ability to expand the conference with worthy schools is an option it needed and now exists.
“I know that the Hoosier Conference knows that we have interest,” Bordenet said.
Published in the Herald Journal in August 2009.
County's Class A Teams Slim Down
The county’s three Class A football teams are meager this season.
Not one team has more than 35 players, which is about average for all three.
Frontier has added a couple late in the week to reach 31, while North White is right at 30. Tri-County, meanwhile, is under 30 for the second-straight season with 21 kids.
“A couple classes that have gone through are small and it’s killing us,” Tri-County coach Jeff Hettinger said. “Football’s a numbers game. It’s hard to scrimmage and create depth if you don’t have the numbers.”
As it stands, all three junior varsity seasons have been nixed. It’s a move none of the coaches want to make but the numbers have forced the decision. The result of no JV squad is limited to no playing time for back-ups and no development.
“I don’t think there’s any question it does make it difficult,” North White coach Jim Davis said about not having a JV team. “There’s not a chance in the world some kids will see time in a varsity game. They would have had the chance to develop in JV.”
Each coach has a different perspective on the lack of players but none are confident they know why all three schools are down this year. For Tri-County, two small senior and sophomore classes are hitting football hard.
“It’s really going to impact all Tri-County sports,” Hettinger said.
Martz is pleased with his 11 seniors on the team. He thinks the numbers game goes in cycles for all Class A schools.
“If you’re around single A long enough it comes and goes in cycles,” said Martz, who’s been as low as 21 players at Frontier. “I don’t know that it’s a concern but it’s more of a reality that you know your numbers aren’t always going to be great.”
Davis
“These kids 15-18 years of age, you just never know what to expect out them,”Davis
“There’s probably a different reason for each kid.”
Regardless of the reason, all three coaches will think about trying to develop some of the talent that was supposed to be playing JV. And all three coaches will be hoping to avoid injuries.
“Single A is hard,” Martz said. “I take a lot of pride in coaching single A.”
Not one team has more than 35 players, which is about average for all three.
Frontier has added a couple late in the week to reach 31, while North White is right at 30. Tri-County, meanwhile, is under 30 for the second-straight season with 21 kids.
“A couple classes that have gone through are small and it’s killing us,” Tri-County coach Jeff Hettinger said. “Football’s a numbers game. It’s hard to scrimmage and create depth if you don’t have the numbers.”
As it stands, all three junior varsity seasons have been nixed. It’s a move none of the coaches want to make but the numbers have forced the decision. The result of no JV squad is limited to no playing time for back-ups and no development.
“I don’t think there’s any question it does make it difficult,” North White coach Jim Davis said about not having a JV team. “There’s not a chance in the world some kids will see time in a varsity game. They would have had the chance to develop in JV.”
Each coach has a different perspective on the lack of players but none are confident they know why all three schools are down this year. For Tri-County, two small senior and sophomore classes are hitting football hard.
“It’s really going to impact all Tri-County sports,” Hettinger said.
Martz is pleased with his 11 seniors on the team. He thinks the numbers game goes in cycles for all Class A schools.
“If you’re around single A long enough it comes and goes in cycles,” said Martz, who’s been as low as 21 players at Frontier. “I don’t know that it’s a concern but it’s more of a reality that you know your numbers aren’t always going to be great.”
Davis
“These kids 15-18 years of age, you just never know what to expect out them,”
“There’s probably a different reason for each kid.”
Regardless of the reason, all three coaches will think about trying to develop some of the talent that was supposed to be playing JV. And all three coaches will be hoping to avoid injuries.
“Single A is hard,” Martz said. “I take a lot of pride in coaching single A.”
Published in the Herald Journal in August 2009.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Fourth of July Front Page
This was the front page I designed for the Friday before the Fourth of July.2009 All-White County Baseball
This was a full-page poster I designed for the 2009 All-White County baseball.Front Page Refers
I designed the front-page refers for the 2009 All-White County softball and baseball teams, which were the front page centerpiece.2009 All-White County Softball
This was a full-page poster I designed for the 2009 All-White County softball team.Moratorium Week Signals Break
Kent Adams had been waiting on this week to come for some time.
For the first time in about a year, the Twin Lakes athletic director and boy’s basketball coach doesn’t have to do anything related to high school athletics. That’s because Monday marked the beginning of the IHSAA’s mandated week-long no contact and no athletic activity period.
“I’ve been looking at this week for several weeks,” Adams said. “It’s a good time to catch our breath. I’m trying to stay away and not get caught up in anything athletic related.”
Fewer than 10 years ago the IHSAA instituted the seven-day period to give families time away from school activities. Every year around July 4, athletes, administrators, coaches and parents get this break.
“Families have one guilt free week away from school,” said Bobby Cox, assistant commissioner of the IHSAA. “
Finding time away from high school athletics is difficult these days, especially for smaller schools. At schools like all four in White County, many of the athletes compete in multiple sports, which doesn’t allow for any time off. Couple that with summer leagues, AAU and conditioning for future seasons and schedules become tiresome.
“There is a lot of pressure on athletes to get all their sports in,” Frontier athletic director and football coach Greg Martz said. “Throw in conditioning and AAU and there is so much going on. Where does it stop? We need this guiding hand to say there is too much.”
Martz was able to escape for a vacation with the break from all athletic activities. With the football season and the fall sports schedule inching up, Martz won’t have any time to take a break until this time next year.
“Most of our kids are going to start practice on August 3 and then they’re going until next June,” Martz said. “Rest is an important aspect of athletics that is often times left out.”
Cox said there has been some discussion of extending the mandatory week-long break for high schools. Nothing is immediately in the works but Martz thinks it should be longer.
“I think it should be two weeks,” Martz said. “They are weeks you aren’t supposed to be doing anything and people look forward to them. It should be longer but the IHSAA probably doesn’t want to tackle that issue.”
Adams is fine with the week-long break as it is. He just hopes his athletes take advantage of that time.
There is one other week that the IHSAA monitors and that’s the week before fall sports officially begin practice. Starting July 27, only fall sports are allowed to condition.
Published in the Herald Journal in June 2009.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Where 2009 Cover
I designed the cover for the 2009 Where magazine. The 48-page magazine is an annual tourist publication for the Monticello area that details information about restaurants, entertainment, etc.Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Emotional End For Softball Seniors
Reiff and her teammates had battled all the way back from a 6-0 deficit with the Indians taking a 7-6 lead in the sixth. Now, trailing 8-7 in the seventh, Reiff buried her face in a towel to escape the situation.
She didn’t want to end her fabulous four-year softball career without a sectional title. She didn’t want to get knocked off again in the sectional by a Benton Central team the Indians beat twice this season. But all she could do was watch from the dugout.
“Oh yeah, it’s tough,” Reiff said of the loss while battling tears. “The girls just don’t give up. We could have lost 6-0 but it was 8-7.”
When senior Abby Dilling entered the pitching circle against the Bison she knew they would have a feel for her pitches. That’s because Dilling earned two W’s against them during the season. What she didn’t know is that BC would jump on her immediately. After being relieved in the second inning, Dilling had surrendered six runs – four of which were earned – and two triples.
“They got on me and I knew it was going to happen,” said Dilling, who finished 1-for-3 from the plate. “BC’s a good team and if we faced them four times it would probably be 2-2.”
As TL (24-6) entered the third inning, the players set a goal of two runs an inning to narrow the margin. A triple from Ashlee Keil helped the two-run third, a double from Tabby Bonnell helped the two-run fourth and Savanna Gaumer’s contact helped the two-run fifth.
“It was a rollercoaster,” Twin Lakes coach Desiree Swaim said. “It was back and forth. The girls don’t give up and made things happen.”
All the while, Bonnell had silenced BC’s bats and was rolling into the sixth inning. With two outs and no one on, two errors and one hit resulted in two BC runs, including the go-ahead run that scored when Reiff tried getting a runner out at third. Third baseman Chelsea Hicks thought Reiff was throwing home so she ducked and then got hit in the side with Reiff’s throw.
“It was a game of a lot of freak things,” Reiff said. “They scored a lot of freak runs. They’re a good team but the run at the end was real weird.
“That’s part of it, I guess … Get lucky at the right time. We left everything on the field. We left it all out there.”
The loss was difficult for Swaim to handle because her seniors were “special to her.”
“It’s sad for the seniors,” Swaim said. “It’s emotional for me that they’re done because they’re a good bunch. I’m so proud of them.
“We had a great season.”
Published in the Herald Journal in May 2009.
Prepare To Swing
The Indians' Tabby Bonnell launches a pitch during their sectional win in May 2009.
Hurt Or Not
Tri-County's Amanda Coty leaps over a hurdle in first place despite an injured right leg.Returning A Serve
Chelsea Cardwell, TL's No. 1 singles player in 2009, returns a serve during the Indians' sectional match against Lewis Cass.Diving Snag
Twin Lakes' right fielder makes a diving catch against Macanaquah during the 2009 season.Come Back Here
A Twin Lakes hurdler chases a Tri-County runner during the annual Bi-County Meet at Twin Lakes High School.
Stopping The Ball
Twin Lakes senior first baseman tries to corral the ball during a sectional game in 2009.Friday, May 1, 2009
Weather Creates Havoc For ADs
By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
Wet and cold weather has prevented this year’s spring sports season from gaining momentum.
Tuesday was no different after six more varsity events were canceled.
Out of this month’s 21 days, 11 have seen rain and temperatures have dropped below 30 degrees. The result has been constant cancelations, postponements and indoor practices, which complicates the job of all four of the area’s athletic directors.
“It’s usually not as bad as this year,” North White athletic director Mark Woodcock said. “It’s raining every three or four days. We’re running out of days to reschedule games on.”
Each Monday and Tuesday of the month has been rainy and it’s caused cancelations to pile up, especially with North White baseball. Woodcock has seen six canceled games and has been able to reschedule only two of them. Because playing the games is valuable it has forced the team to play five games in five days to start the month of May.
“It’s important. That’s why they give you a certain number of games to play,”
For coaches, the weather is supremely frustrating because practices are indoors and the games that are played are outdoors.
“We’re optimistic that this weekend will bring better weather,”
The 10-day forecast does show relief for teams this weekend but that soon disappears next week. Rain is expected from Monday-Thursday, which will bring another host of problems for athletic directors.
“I would say after (Tuesday) it’s going to be difficult to find dates,” Tri-County athletic director Denny Stitz said about rescheduling games. “We have had enough dates to fill up the voids in the calendar so far. The best hope is that the bad weather is behind us.”
If poor weather continues to cause cancelations as the calendar moves along the only option will be to eliminate games from the schedule and save room for conference clashes. But that’s an option the ADs don’t want to use.
“It puts a damper on what everyone is trying to accomplish,” Woodcock said of the weather. “You can’t accomplish and achieve your goals as a player or coach.” athletic director Kent Adams said about playing an entire schedule. “You want to be careful you don’t over burden the athletes but that experience is important.”
Published in the Herald Journal in April 2009.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Living History Series | Garnette Smith Turns Into World Traveler
By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
Just before midnight 65 years ago, Garnette Smith thought his life was about to get cut short.
Aboard a U.S. Naval ship in the middle of the
“I thought that was my last day,” Smith said.
Masked in complete darkness, Smith’s ship was nearly split in half by another vessel. The outcome was much less severe than first thought and it put Smith on land as D-Day approached in the summer of 1944.
“We were in dry dock for a big share of the big invasion,” Smith said.
Smith – now 91 years-old and living in
“Everybody else was going at the time so I thought ‘I might as well go,’” Smith said. “It lasted a lot longer than I first thought but it didn’t bother me. It was a good experience.”
Waiting for him after his time in the Navy was Marilyn Holloway. The wedding plans were set and they were tying the knot. It was the classic high school sweethearts scenario from when he was a senior and she was a freshman.
“I fell in love with her and I just knew it,” Smith said.
With his service time behind him and now married, Smith was still searching for the right job. He had spent time at Alcoa before the service and ended up there again once returning but he didn’t like it. He knew there was something better.
“That’s part of the reason I went to the service because I figured it was going to get me anyway,” Smith said about working at Alcoa. “I just didn’t like the factory.”
The pay pushed Smith to keep the job but he found a long-term solution at the Delphi REMC using his business degree. For 22 years, Smith was the office manager.
“I finally used some of my bookkeeping skills,” Smith said. “I was always pretty good with figures so it was a good fit.”
With a steady job and some land that he and his wife acquired from her family, Smith took some inspiration from a golfing magazine to build a par-3 golf course. There weren’t many courses around, so Smith made it happen and opened the Hollow Acres golf course in 1960.
“We couldn’t figure out what to put down there on the corner,” Smith said. “I looked into it and built it. It did put me in some debt, though.”
Financial backing from both families helped Smith early on and he has no doubt that the investment paid off.
“I made a living on it,” Smith said of the Hollow Acres golf course.
The course put him to work during the days of his owernship. Smith left the REMC in 1970 and worked full time at the course for 16 years doing it all. He cut the grass, managed the money and fixed the problems.
“I was pretty hardworking until we sold it,” Smith said. “Anything and everything, I did. I did enjoy those years. I met a lot of people.”
His kids – Jeff Smith and Suzie Vogel – worked hard every summer at the course. Garnette said Jeff enjoyed running the place when dad wasn’t around but Suzie never enjoyed it.
“We had a good system,” Smith said. “It worked out pretty good.”
During Smith’s childhood, he never knew he was going to see as much of the world as he has. After graduating from
“I never really thought about traveling,” Smith said. “I was just trying to get a job for a while.”
He has spent time all across the
“Every where you look is like a picture postcard,” Smith said. “We should have spent another month up there.”
Published in the Herald Journal in April 2009.
Manahan Earns Player of the Year Honors
By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
The boot on Emileah Manahan’s recently fractured foot says it all.
It’s bulky frame is protecting a stress fracture that was a result of too much activity. It’s not shiny and she probably won’t save it, but it’s her trophy of sorts. It represents her domination of the
“I didn’t think it was going to be this big,” Manahan admitted about her success in athletics. “It turned out to be my life.”
Originally, the 2009 White County Player of the Year just wanted to make
“She was not athletic at all,” her mom, Susan, said. “She just wasn’t in to sports at all.”
All that changed the summer before seventh grade. That’s when Emileah joined a traveling team with some of the area’s best players her age. At the time, practices were held in
“I would cry because of fear on the way there and I would cry because I got in trouble on the way back,” Manahan said. “(The rides) seemed like they took forever.”
Despite the tears, Manahan wanted to continue playing and it paid off. That seventh grade traveling team competed against high school varsity teams and would win by double digits. The team’s success and Manahan’s production pushed her to new heights.
“She really cut her teeth that summer,” Susan said. “It gave her so much confidence and then she realized she could compete with the best of them. That opened up this whole new world that she hadn’t seen before.”
Couple the confidence with her No. 1 fan – her father, who played Division I college basketball – having a passion to help his daughter improve and Emileah’s athletic ability was in full bloom.
“It’s great because he has the answer to every question I have,” Emileah said of her dad, Pat. “There have been nights after the crying that we’re going out to the court at my house and making me practice for hours out there.
“He was always trying to make my game better even though I didn’t always want to get better. He made me get better and now I want to make myself better.”
That drive made Emileah’s presence on the basketball court bigger than ever this season. She was the cornerstone of an 18-4
“She’s a very talented, athletic girl,”
During her four years on varsity at
“It’s a mix of emotions,” Emileah said about graduating high school and moving on to play collegiate volleyball. “I’m excited because it’s a new level of play and a new step in my life but I’m nervous because it’s all new people and a whole new level.
“It’s going to be hard and it’s going to take up a lot of my time.”
She should be ready because it sounds a little bit like those car rides back-and-forth to
Published in the Herald Journal in April of 2009.
2009 Girl's All-White County Basketball
Here's the spread I designed for the 2009 Girl's Basketball All-White County team. I compiled all the information and wrote the story on the player of the year, Emileah Manahan.Tee Time 2009 Alternate
This was another option that I designed for the cover of the annual golfing guide. I liked this one but it wasn't the one chosen to run.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
I Remember
I designed a doubletruck with this page and the one above that went in the tornado magazine. The essence of the piece centers on what people remember when the tornado hit Monticello 35 years ago.Our Defining Moment
I designed this cover for the 35-year remembrance of the deadly tornado that swept through Monticello.Monday, March 30, 2009
Smiling Success
Twin Lakes sophomore swimmer Kylie Vogel smiles after winning one of her three events at a 2009 sectional. The wins advanced Vogel to the state meet.Tri-County Battling North White
North White's Jesse Philo battles Tri-County's Luke Pritchett during an intra-county game in 2009.Friday, February 6, 2009
One Big Day
This page has the preview for the wrestling sectional as the centerpiece. The other story is about the Twin Lakes basketball team letting a win slip away.Monday, February 2, 2009
Trio Of Winners
This was a centerpiece I did for the three seniors on the Twin Lakes girl's basketball team for senior night.Monday, January 19, 2009
Four More Stars
This is a preview for the White County Tournament. I highlighted four of the local players who have had quality seasons.Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Indians, Manahan dominate Rennselaer
This sports page has some girl's basketball and swimming featured on it.Monday, January 12, 2009
Indians Fade Down the Stretch Despite Impressive Defense
A sports page with all local content on it from a busy weekend.
TL Girls Brace For A Big Week
A sports page previewing the big week ahead of the Twin Lake's girl's basketball team.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Hummel Battled Weight Loss, Now Stronger Than Ever
BY LEROY BRIDGES
Times Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE | Losing 25 pounds and erasing any physical gains Robbie Hummel gained during his freshman year at Purdue wasn’t the way he wanted to start his offseason.
But just after the spring semester, Hummel battled salmonella that put him in the hospital and wouldn’t let him eat for six days. Then the sophomore forward from Valparaiso endured a tonsillectomy to relieve sleep apnea that limited his eating and eliminated physical activity for more than two weeks.
In just three weeks of his summer, he was frail and unsure of his basketball abilities.
“At the start I was worried because I had lost so much weight,” said Hummel, who was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Sunday.
The weight loss came only two months after Purdue was dispatched from the NCAA Tournament in the second round by a “bigger, stronger” Xavier team. The undersized Boilers made the weight room their No. 1 priority for the offseason and Hummel found himself weighing around 180 pounds – 48 pounds less than today.
“When I was a freshman in high school I remember I weighed like 175,” Hummel said. “So, it was frustrating because that Xavier loss was on the physical side and to lose all that I had built up was tough.”
Once Hummel stepped on the court for his first workout after his weight loss, he knew he had to structure his eating and lifting to regain and surpass where he was months before. His diet featured grilled chicken breasts, vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches and no fast food or pop as he spent hours in weight room.
“I ate the most healthy I have all my life,” said Hummel, who started to see progress in June. “I lifted as hard as I could and I got my body back to where it was and even farther.”
Now, Hummel is lifting personal-bests to go along with his teammates who took advantage of one-on-one time in the weight room during the summer.
“We are definitely a much stronger team,” said sophomore guard and E.C. Central grad E’Twaun Moore. “We knew what we had to do in the weight room this summer and we did it.”
Sophomore forward JaJuan Johnson, who is expected to be Purdue’s starting big man, is up 10 pounds from last season to 220 and is benching a lifetime best 255 pounds. Painter is fine with Johnson not being a “Charles Oakley-type guy” as long as he uses his athleticism to his advantage.
“He doesn’t have a great base,” Painter said. “He has to do a better job playing with a base and having balance. When he uses his athleticism, he is a productive guy. I thought overseas he was able to do that.”
Overseas was a trip to Australia to further the team’s maturation. The competition was 30-and-40-year-olds and Painter was pleased with the trip’s outcome.
“I thought in Australia, from a physical standpoint, it was a great learning tool, especially on the glass,” Painter said. “I think it really exposed one of our weaknesses and I think that’s important to do, especially when the games don’t count.
“I think it will definitely help us come this winter.”
Moore, who was named first-team All-Big Ten Sunday, said he doesn’t think Purdue will face a more physical team than the Boilers played in Australia. Ideally, that experience helps Purdue improve its rebounding after being outrebounded by three boards a game last season. Purdue finished the season ninth in rebounding in the Big Ten
“I think our rebounding is going to be better,” Painter said. “We’re not going to lead the Big Ten in rebounding. We have to fight like hell to get in the middle of that pack.”
Purdue tips off its exhibition season at 8 p.m. Friday in Mackey Arena against Florida Southern.
Times Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE | Losing 25 pounds and erasing any physical gains Robbie Hummel gained during his freshman year at Purdue wasn’t the way he wanted to start his offseason.
But just after the spring semester, Hummel battled salmonella that put him in the hospital and wouldn’t let him eat for six days. Then the sophomore forward from Valparaiso endured a tonsillectomy to relieve sleep apnea that limited his eating and eliminated physical activity for more than two weeks.
In just three weeks of his summer, he was frail and unsure of his basketball abilities.
“At the start I was worried because I had lost so much weight,” said Hummel, who was named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year Sunday.
The weight loss came only two months after Purdue was dispatched from the NCAA Tournament in the second round by a “bigger, stronger” Xavier team. The undersized Boilers made the weight room their No. 1 priority for the offseason and Hummel found himself weighing around 180 pounds – 48 pounds less than today.
“When I was a freshman in high school I remember I weighed like 175,” Hummel said. “So, it was frustrating because that Xavier loss was on the physical side and to lose all that I had built up was tough.”
Once Hummel stepped on the court for his first workout after his weight loss, he knew he had to structure his eating and lifting to regain and surpass where he was months before. His diet featured grilled chicken breasts, vegetables, peanut butter sandwiches and no fast food or pop as he spent hours in weight room.
“I ate the most healthy I have all my life,” said Hummel, who started to see progress in June. “I lifted as hard as I could and I got my body back to where it was and even farther.”
Now, Hummel is lifting personal-bests to go along with his teammates who took advantage of one-on-one time in the weight room during the summer.
“We are definitely a much stronger team,” said sophomore guard and E.C. Central grad E’Twaun Moore. “We knew what we had to do in the weight room this summer and we did it.”
Sophomore forward JaJuan Johnson, who is expected to be Purdue’s starting big man, is up 10 pounds from last season to 220 and is benching a lifetime best 255 pounds. Painter is fine with Johnson not being a “Charles Oakley-type guy” as long as he uses his athleticism to his advantage.
“He doesn’t have a great base,” Painter said. “He has to do a better job playing with a base and having balance. When he uses his athleticism, he is a productive guy. I thought overseas he was able to do that.”
Overseas was a trip to Australia to further the team’s maturation. The competition was 30-and-40-year-olds and Painter was pleased with the trip’s outcome.
“I thought in Australia, from a physical standpoint, it was a great learning tool, especially on the glass,” Painter said. “I think it really exposed one of our weaknesses and I think that’s important to do, especially when the games don’t count.
“I think it will definitely help us come this winter.”
Moore, who was named first-team All-Big Ten Sunday, said he doesn’t think Purdue will face a more physical team than the Boilers played in Australia. Ideally, that experience helps Purdue improve its rebounding after being outrebounded by three boards a game last season. Purdue finished the season ninth in rebounding in the Big Ten
“I think our rebounding is going to be better,” Painter said. “We’re not going to lead the Big Ten in rebounding. We have to fight like hell to get in the middle of that pack.”
Purdue tips off its exhibition season at 8 p.m. Friday in Mackey Arena against Florida Southern.
Published in the Northwest Indiana Times in October of 2008.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Hummel Solves Foul Trouble, Returns To Form In 66-46 Win
BY LEROY BRIDGES
Times Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE | Sophomore forward Robbie Hummel solved his foul troubles and Purdue fans finally got to see the Hummel who was voted preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Saturday.
The Valparaiso grad dropped 20 points and grabbed 11 boards in No. 11 Purdue’s 66-46 routine win against Coppin State (1-1). His sixth-career double-double came in 26 minutes of play, which is the most he’s played in a game this season.
“I got to watch a lot film with coach Ray and coach Lusk and they figured out what I was doing wrong and why I was picking up a lot of cheap fouls,” Hummel said. “I felt like I got in more of a flow tonight.”
Hummel said he wasn’t moving his feet well on the defensive end in the team’s first three games. He had four fouls in two of those games but Saturday he committed only one foul.
“I think it was good for him and good from a fan’s standpoint to be able to watch him play and stay in the game,” said coach Matt Painter. “He just needs to play. He needs to get out there and get some minutes.”
Fellow Region teammate E’Twaun Moore (E.C. Central) loaded up the stat sheet, too. Moore, who became the first player to log at least 30 minutes in a game this season, had 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks; however, the 3-point shooting woes continued. Moore shot 1-of-5 from deep and the team finished 6-of-22.
“If we keep taking open shots, they will fall,” Moore said. “It’s going to fall some time. It can’t get no worse.”
Purdue’s inability to hit those 3s was frustrating for Painter who wants his players to change their mindset offensively if their shots aren’t falling. Entering Saturday’s game the Boilers were shooting 35 percent from long range.
“I thought we were inconsistent (offensively) and shot too many 3s. That’s something that’s remained consistent for us, we’re shooting a lot of 3s and not at a high percentage,” Painter said. “It’s something we’re going to have to take a hard look at. We have to probe the defense a little more.”
The Boilers don’t have long to correct their shooting because they travel to New York early this week to face Boston College in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals.
Coppin State’s leading scorer was its senior leader Tywain McKee with 17 points. McKee battled foul trouble and turned the ball over six times.
Times Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE | Sophomore forward Robbie Hummel solved his foul troubles and Purdue fans finally got to see the Hummel who was voted preseason Big Ten Player of the Year Saturday.
The Valparaiso grad dropped 20 points and grabbed 11 boards in No. 11 Purdue’s 66-46 routine win against Coppin State (1-1). His sixth-career double-double came in 26 minutes of play, which is the most he’s played in a game this season.
“I got to watch a lot film with coach Ray and coach Lusk and they figured out what I was doing wrong and why I was picking up a lot of cheap fouls,” Hummel said. “I felt like I got in more of a flow tonight.”
Hummel said he wasn’t moving his feet well on the defensive end in the team’s first three games. He had four fouls in two of those games but Saturday he committed only one foul.
“I think it was good for him and good from a fan’s standpoint to be able to watch him play and stay in the game,” said coach Matt Painter. “He just needs to play. He needs to get out there and get some minutes.”
Fellow Region teammate E’Twaun Moore (E.C. Central) loaded up the stat sheet, too. Moore, who became the first player to log at least 30 minutes in a game this season, had 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks; however, the 3-point shooting woes continued. Moore shot 1-of-5 from deep and the team finished 6-of-22.
“If we keep taking open shots, they will fall,” Moore said. “It’s going to fall some time. It can’t get no worse.”
Purdue’s inability to hit those 3s was frustrating for Painter who wants his players to change their mindset offensively if their shots aren’t falling. Entering Saturday’s game the Boilers were shooting 35 percent from long range.
“I thought we were inconsistent (offensively) and shot too many 3s. That’s something that’s remained consistent for us, we’re shooting a lot of 3s and not at a high percentage,” Painter said. “It’s something we’re going to have to take a hard look at. We have to probe the defense a little more.”
The Boilers don’t have long to correct their shooting because they travel to New York early this week to face Boston College in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinals.
Coppin State’s leading scorer was its senior leader Tywain McKee with 17 points. McKee battled foul trouble and turned the ball over six times.
Published in the Northwest Indiana Times on Nov. 23, 2008.
Matt Painter's Hair Changes, He Doesn't
By Leroy Bridges
Executive Reporter
In four years at Purdue, Matt Painter has been through it all.
And yet the only thing that’s changed about the guy who landed a dream job at the age of 34 is his hair.
“Getting grayer,” said his wife, Jerri, about what’s changed with her husband since becoming head coach at Purdue. “It’s like a picture of the president before and after the term.”
Four years ago, an ambitious Painter walked into Morgan Burke’s office with a full-head of black hair and a national title on his mind. Burke knew from talking with legendary Purdue coach Gene Keady and Illinois coach Bruce Weber that Painter was ready to take on a restoration project.
“Gene and Bruce watched him evolve,” Burke said. “Bruce’s comment was ‘If Purdue isn’t going to hire him, someone else in the Big Ten will.’”
Despite a nine-win season in year one, Painter has led Purdue to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and a heap of attention this season. Burke’s not surprised by Painter’s early success but it does make him smile.
“I think he’s been exactly what we thought we would get,” Burke said. “We thought we had a guy who had an intensity and a love for the game.”
Painter’s ability to motivate players without “browbeating” them impresses assistant coach Rick Ray on a daily. That knack for pushing players has been evident from day one and is a staple to Painter’s coaching success, Ray said.
“That’s something refreshing because the players put it upon themselves because if the guys don’t play hard they hold each other accountable,” Ray said.
Senior guard Marcus Green was a part of Painter’s first recruiting class and appreciates Painter’s ability to get the most out of him every day without bullying him.
“He’s created a situation where we play hard because we don’t want to let the team down and that’s enjoyable,” Green said. “I would hate to see him when he has six or seven All Americans on the court.
“He’s doing great right now and if he continues it, people better watch out for him.”
Painter knows he’s fortunate. From time to time he reminds himself of the profession he lives every day even if it brings more gray hair.
“If I am not the coach here, I guarantee (Purdue) still has a season. I don’t take that for granted,” Painter said. “I try to teach (the team) the same beliefs. We’re all very lucky to be in this position.”
Painter’s position entering this season is a long way from when he trotted into Burke’s office spouting his dreams of winning a national title at Purdue. The preseason No. 11 Boilers return all five starters, including the team’s MVP, junior guard Keaton Grant; the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, junior guard Chris Kramer; and the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year, sophomore forward Robbie Hummel.
“I think it’s always amazing how fast everything goes. It seems like you’re a freshman and you turn around and you’re a senior,” Painter said. “Time flies. That’s why you have to enjoy it while it’s happening. You have to make your hard work fun.”
Painter and his Boilers begin their fun tonight in their first regular season game. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. in Mackey Arena against Detroit Mercy.
Executive Reporter
In four years at Purdue, Matt Painter has been through it all.
And yet the only thing that’s changed about the guy who landed a dream job at the age of 34 is his hair.
“Getting grayer,” said his wife, Jerri, about what’s changed with her husband since becoming head coach at Purdue. “It’s like a picture of the president before and after the term.”
Four years ago, an ambitious Painter walked into Morgan Burke’s office with a full-head of black hair and a national title on his mind. Burke knew from talking with legendary Purdue coach Gene Keady and Illinois coach Bruce Weber that Painter was ready to take on a restoration project.
“Gene and Bruce watched him evolve,” Burke said. “Bruce’s comment was ‘If Purdue isn’t going to hire him, someone else in the Big Ten will.’”
Despite a nine-win season in year one, Painter has led Purdue to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and a heap of attention this season. Burke’s not surprised by Painter’s early success but it does make him smile.
“I think he’s been exactly what we thought we would get,” Burke said. “We thought we had a guy who had an intensity and a love for the game.”
Painter’s ability to motivate players without “browbeating” them impresses assistant coach Rick Ray on a daily. That knack for pushing players has been evident from day one and is a staple to Painter’s coaching success, Ray said.
“That’s something refreshing because the players put it upon themselves because if the guys don’t play hard they hold each other accountable,” Ray said.
Senior guard Marcus Green was a part of Painter’s first recruiting class and appreciates Painter’s ability to get the most out of him every day without bullying him.
“He’s created a situation where we play hard because we don’t want to let the team down and that’s enjoyable,” Green said. “I would hate to see him when he has six or seven All Americans on the court.
“He’s doing great right now and if he continues it, people better watch out for him.”
Painter knows he’s fortunate. From time to time he reminds himself of the profession he lives every day even if it brings more gray hair.
“If I am not the coach here, I guarantee (Purdue) still has a season. I don’t take that for granted,” Painter said. “I try to teach (the team) the same beliefs. We’re all very lucky to be in this position.”
Painter’s position entering this season is a long way from when he trotted into Burke’s office spouting his dreams of winning a national title at Purdue. The preseason No. 11 Boilers return all five starters, including the team’s MVP, junior guard Keaton Grant; the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, junior guard Chris Kramer; and the Big Ten’s Preseason Player of the Year, sophomore forward Robbie Hummel.
“I think it’s always amazing how fast everything goes. It seems like you’re a freshman and you turn around and you’re a senior,” Painter said. “Time flies. That’s why you have to enjoy it while it’s happening. You have to make your hard work fun.”
Painter and his Boilers begin their fun tonight in their first regular season game. Tip-off is at 9 p.m. in Mackey Arena against Detroit Mercy.
Published in the Purdue Exponent in November 2008.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Season Preview Guide Page 6
Another inside page and this time it's with JaJuan Johnson and Chris Reid on it.
Season Preview Guide Page 4
Another inside page and this time it's with Ryne Smith and Mark Wohlford. This page also has a story I wrote about the team growing up.
Season Preview Guide Page 3
Another inside page and this time it's with Lewis Jackson and Chris Kramer on it.Season Preview Guide Page 2
This is one of the player profile pages that displayed the majority of the guide's content. This page has Robbie Hummel and Keaton Grant on it. We contacted players' parents to get childhood photos of them to complete this guide. Everything from creating the crayon-effect to the cutout blocks to the composition of the guide was done by me.Growin' Up
This was the cover for the 2008-09 men's basketball season preview guide. This photo was coordinated with the College Mentors for Kids and the men's basketball team and was one of the most stressful days of my life. ;)Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Senior Kicker Makes First Field Goal Of Career
By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
East Lansing, Mich. – With 4:49 left in the game and his team down by one, senior kicker Casey Welch attempted – and made – the first field goal of his career.
The 18-yarder gave Purdue an eventual 17-15 win and Welch an indescribable feeling.
"Something you've been waiting your entire life for (is) to go out there and kick," Welch said after the Boilers' win over Michigan State (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten). "To have this be my one kick, it's unbelievable."
Welch got his opportunity after freshman Chris Summers missed two field goals earlier in the game. Coach Joe Tiller said he made the switch because Summers, who is 8-for-18 this season, is less accurate on shorter attempts.
"Maybe we're going to have a short field goal kicker and a long field goal kicker," Tiller said. "I told (special teams coach Mark Hagen) to get Casey warming up because if we are kicking, Casey's going to do it."
Welch said he didn't know whether or not he was going to be kicking until just after a timeout was called. Fortunately for Welch, who transferred from West Virginia four years ago with hopes of winning the starting job, he had been warming up.
"I try to stay warm all game, so I was loose enough for it," Welch said. "I was just like 'Let's go out there and kick it.' I just kicked it."
The kick, which was a "no doubter" according to holder Curtis Painter, was Welch's first game-situation field goal since high school five years ago.
"It's a story-book ending to my career here," Welch said. "It's been five years since I've done that and to go out there and help my team get closer to a bowl is awesome."
Hagen said it was no surprise to him that Welch made the kick. In fact, there was no doubt in his mind Welch would come through in the high-pressure situation.
"Today his number was called and I knew he could do it," Hagen said. "It certainly was a crucial situation and he came through."
Welch said his emotion in the locker room following the game was overwhelming, especially since Purdue (6-4, 3-3) had lost four of its last five games.
"The emotions ran high and it me deep after the game," Welch said. "I'm a team guy and I am just happy to help us out anyway I can."
Welch's kick gives the Boilers their second win on the road this season and with one more win, they will be bowl eligible.
Sports Editor
East Lansing, Mich. – With 4:49 left in the game and his team down by one, senior kicker Casey Welch attempted – and made – the first field goal of his career.
The 18-yarder gave Purdue an eventual 17-15 win and Welch an indescribable feeling.
"Something you've been waiting your entire life for (is) to go out there and kick," Welch said after the Boilers' win over Michigan State (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten). "To have this be my one kick, it's unbelievable."
Welch got his opportunity after freshman Chris Summers missed two field goals earlier in the game. Coach Joe Tiller said he made the switch because Summers, who is 8-for-18 this season, is less accurate on shorter attempts.
"Maybe we're going to have a short field goal kicker and a long field goal kicker," Tiller said. "I told (special teams coach Mark Hagen) to get Casey warming up because if we are kicking, Casey's going to do it."
Welch said he didn't know whether or not he was going to be kicking until just after a timeout was called. Fortunately for Welch, who transferred from West Virginia four years ago with hopes of winning the starting job, he had been warming up.
"I try to stay warm all game, so I was loose enough for it," Welch said. "I was just like 'Let's go out there and kick it.' I just kicked it."
The kick, which was a "no doubter" according to holder Curtis Painter, was Welch's first game-situation field goal since high school five years ago.
"It's a story-book ending to my career here," Welch said. "It's been five years since I've done that and to go out there and help my team get closer to a bowl is awesome."
Hagen said it was no surprise to him that Welch made the kick. In fact, there was no doubt in his mind Welch would come through in the high-pressure situation.
"Today his number was called and I knew he could do it," Hagen said. "It certainly was a crucial situation and he came through."
Welch said his emotion in the locker room following the game was overwhelming, especially since Purdue (6-4, 3-3) had lost four of its last five games.
"The emotions ran high and it me deep after the game," Welch said. "I'm a team guy and I am just happy to help us out anyway I can."
Welch's kick gives the Boilers their second win on the road this season and with one more win, they will be bowl eligible.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Nov. 6, 2006.
Basketball Transfer To Appear In Court
By Leroy Bridges
Sports Editor
A heralded men's basketball recruit will be in a court of a different kind on Monday morning.
Tarrance Crump, a former junior college guard who transferred to Purdue, is scheduled for an initial hearing at 8 a.m. Monday. Crump was charged on Sept. 25 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a crime and committing criminal recklessness.
According to Jerry Bean, the Tippecanoe County prosecutor, case documentation should be filed by 5 p.m. Friday, so the case can be ready for Monday's initial hearing.
"All of the information that is being gathered will be available for Monday's hearing," Bean said Tuesday.
On Monday, Crump and his representation are scheduled to hear the case against him. Crump will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty and the case will move forward.
According to West Lafayette Police, Robert Brunner was struck by a vehicle operated by Crump just after midnight on Sept. 25. Brunner sustained a large laceration to the back of the head, a large contusion on the right side of his back and scrapes all over his body.
Police officers in the area were called to look for a car similar to Crump's Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to police.
Brunner said he was aware of the court date, but declined to comment.
Crump has been held out of official basketball practices that started Oct. 15. Coach Matt Painter is awaiting the legal process to take its course before reacting to the case. Neither Crump nor Painter has commented on the situation.
Sports Editor
A heralded men's basketball recruit will be in a court of a different kind on Monday morning.
Tarrance Crump, a former junior college guard who transferred to Purdue, is scheduled for an initial hearing at 8 a.m. Monday. Crump was charged on Sept. 25 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a crime and committing criminal recklessness.
According to Jerry Bean, the Tippecanoe County prosecutor, case documentation should be filed by 5 p.m. Friday, so the case can be ready for Monday's initial hearing.
"All of the information that is being gathered will be available for Monday's hearing," Bean said Tuesday.
On Monday, Crump and his representation are scheduled to hear the case against him. Crump will have the opportunity to plead guilty or not guilty and the case will move forward.
According to West Lafayette Police, Robert Brunner was struck by a vehicle operated by Crump just after midnight on Sept. 25. Brunner sustained a large laceration to the back of the head, a large contusion on the right side of his back and scrapes all over his body.
Police officers in the area were called to look for a car similar to Crump's Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to police.
Brunner said he was aware of the court date, but declined to comment.
Crump has been held out of official basketball practices that started Oct. 15. Coach Matt Painter is awaiting the legal process to take its course before reacting to the case. Neither Crump nor Painter has commented on the situation.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Oct. 26, 2005.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
With Response Filed, Purdue Waits For NCAA
By Leroy Bridges
Editor in Chief
Within the next two weeks Purdue athletics will learn of the NCAA's verdict regarding sanctions facing the women's basketball program 15 months after potential violations were made public.
In February 2006, Purdue officials suspended guard Cherelle George and assistant coach Katrina Merriweather for possible NCAA violations. Almost two months later, George was declared permanently ineligible and Merriweather resigned. An internal investigation by Purdue found six possible violations - some of which could be major.
Since first notifying the NCAA of problems with NCAA rules in early 2006, Purdue has utilized the law firm of Stuart & Branigan to file a response to allegations. The law firm's report, filed April 27, 2007, was recently obtained by the Exponent as a result of a public document request. The 48-page summary report of Purdue's response was part of more than 400 pages of documents obtained through public documents related to the case.
It wasn't until Feb. 28, 2007 - more than a year from when wrongdoing was announced - that Purdue was given notice to respond to six possible violations. The University's attorney filed a response a month later and a hearing was held on that response on June 8.
The NCAA is reviewing Purdue documents and hearing information to determine what violations occurred and if penalties should be assessed. Six to eight weeks after the hearing institutions can expect reports detailing the decision. This is the sixth week since Purdue's hearing.
"We're waiting for the final verdict," assistant athletic director Tom Schott said Monday.
Purdue is hoping the self-imposed penalties that were enacted will avoid additional NCAA punishment. The University took away one scholarship for the 2006-07 season, suspended then assistant coach Merriweather, declared George permanently ineligible and had a presentation on ethical conduct with coaches and administrators.
"While Purdue University acknowledges that (Merriweather) was an employee of the athletics department and is taking full responsibility for her actions while our employee, it was determined through this investigation that she clearly acted outside the scope of her responsibilities as an assistant coach," a letter from Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke wrote on May 1 to the NCAA.
Purdue admitted in its April response that Merriweather assisted a student-athlete with writing a research paper, made impermissible contact during non-sanctioned recruiting periods and did various personal favors for players.
Upon being asked to comment on the documents the Exponent received, an athletic department official would not comment further until the NCAA is finished deliberating.
"In May of 2006, the Purdue Department of Intercollegiate Athletics transmitted to the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference the results of a 10-week inquiry involving our women's basketball program," a statement from Schott said. "In response to a public records request, the University's response to allegations to the NCAA has been released.
"While the response has been redacted to comply with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and federal privacy law, it contains no new violations but does provide additional information uncovered in the University's review. This response is part of the NCAA judicial process, and the University participated in a hearing regarding these matters on June 8, 2007, before the Division I Committee on Infractions. The University will have no comment on the matter during the deliberations by the Committee."
Burke declined comment on the case and deferred to Schott.
The public documents do not contain any new violations, but it does provide additional information from Purdue's internal investigation.
The response says former coach Kristy Curry was aware of one of the violations - academic fraud. After two meetings with Merriweather in late 2005 and early 2006 - and denials from Merriweather regarding academic fraud - Curry did not pursue it. Curry, who's now the coach at Texas Tech, would have been reprimanded and "limited for summer recruiting" by Burke if she would have stayed at Purdue. Furthermore, it was learned that Curry made two of 49 impermissible contacts with recruits. Merriweather was implicated in the remaining 47 call violations - all of which were six minutes or less.
According to the response, "It is noted here that had the head coach remained at Purdue University, the assistant coach (Merriweather) would have been terminated." Merriweather, however, resigned more than a month before that conclusion had been reached.
Merriweather was at the heart of all six violations part of the NCAA investigation.
1. One incident of academic misconduct involving one assistant coach. No eligibility issues were involved.
2. Impermissible use of a coach's cell phone by four current student-athletes.
3. Impermissible storage of two current student-athletes' personal items for a period not longer than one month at the residence of an assistant coach.
4. Impermissible purchase of flowers for one prospective student-athlete by an assistant coach. The prospective student-athlete has already signed a letter of intent two months prior to the impermissible purchase.
5. Impermissible storage of one current student-athlete's automobile for a period not longer than two months at an assistant coach's residence.
6. Impermissible telephone contacts with two prospective student-athletes.
Other than the academic fraud being known, the other five violations came to light after former assistant coach Janon Lampley met with Purdue's compliance staff in February 2006, according to the public documents. Purdue then suspended both Merriweather and George and began an investigation.
The NCAA declined to comment because the investigation is still ongoing.
There were five other potential NCAA wrongdoing allegations that came forth through the investigation. However, none were confirmed through interviews conducted by Purdue's compliance staff.
Editor in Chief
Within the next two weeks Purdue athletics will learn of the NCAA's verdict regarding sanctions facing the women's basketball program 15 months after potential violations were made public.
In February 2006, Purdue officials suspended guard Cherelle George and assistant coach Katrina Merriweather for possible NCAA violations. Almost two months later, George was declared permanently ineligible and Merriweather resigned. An internal investigation by Purdue found six possible violations - some of which could be major.
Since first notifying the NCAA of problems with NCAA rules in early 2006, Purdue has utilized the law firm of Stuart & Branigan to file a response to allegations. The law firm's report, filed April 27, 2007, was recently obtained by the Exponent as a result of a public document request. The 48-page summary report of Purdue's response was part of more than 400 pages of documents obtained through public documents related to the case.
It wasn't until Feb. 28, 2007 - more than a year from when wrongdoing was announced - that Purdue was given notice to respond to six possible violations. The University's attorney filed a response a month later and a hearing was held on that response on June 8.
The NCAA is reviewing Purdue documents and hearing information to determine what violations occurred and if penalties should be assessed. Six to eight weeks after the hearing institutions can expect reports detailing the decision. This is the sixth week since Purdue's hearing.
"We're waiting for the final verdict," assistant athletic director Tom Schott said Monday.
Purdue is hoping the self-imposed penalties that were enacted will avoid additional NCAA punishment. The University took away one scholarship for the 2006-07 season, suspended then assistant coach Merriweather, declared George permanently ineligible and had a presentation on ethical conduct with coaches and administrators.
"While Purdue University acknowledges that (Merriweather) was an employee of the athletics department and is taking full responsibility for her actions while our employee, it was determined through this investigation that she clearly acted outside the scope of her responsibilities as an assistant coach," a letter from Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke wrote on May 1 to the NCAA.
Purdue admitted in its April response that Merriweather assisted a student-athlete with writing a research paper, made impermissible contact during non-sanctioned recruiting periods and did various personal favors for players.
Upon being asked to comment on the documents the Exponent received, an athletic department official would not comment further until the NCAA is finished deliberating.
"In May of 2006, the Purdue Department of Intercollegiate Athletics transmitted to the NCAA and the Big Ten Conference the results of a 10-week inquiry involving our women's basketball program," a statement from Schott said. "In response to a public records request, the University's response to allegations to the NCAA has been released.
"While the response has been redacted to comply with the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and federal privacy law, it contains no new violations but does provide additional information uncovered in the University's review. This response is part of the NCAA judicial process, and the University participated in a hearing regarding these matters on June 8, 2007, before the Division I Committee on Infractions. The University will have no comment on the matter during the deliberations by the Committee."
Burke declined comment on the case and deferred to Schott.
The public documents do not contain any new violations, but it does provide additional information from Purdue's internal investigation.
The response says former coach Kristy Curry was aware of one of the violations - academic fraud. After two meetings with Merriweather in late 2005 and early 2006 - and denials from Merriweather regarding academic fraud - Curry did not pursue it. Curry, who's now the coach at Texas Tech, would have been reprimanded and "limited for summer recruiting" by Burke if she would have stayed at Purdue. Furthermore, it was learned that Curry made two of 49 impermissible contacts with recruits. Merriweather was implicated in the remaining 47 call violations - all of which were six minutes or less.
According to the response, "It is noted here that had the head coach remained at Purdue University, the assistant coach (Merriweather) would have been terminated." Merriweather, however, resigned more than a month before that conclusion had been reached.
Merriweather was at the heart of all six violations part of the NCAA investigation.
1. One incident of academic misconduct involving one assistant coach. No eligibility issues were involved.
2. Impermissible use of a coach's cell phone by four current student-athletes.
3. Impermissible storage of two current student-athletes' personal items for a period not longer than one month at the residence of an assistant coach.
4. Impermissible purchase of flowers for one prospective student-athlete by an assistant coach. The prospective student-athlete has already signed a letter of intent two months prior to the impermissible purchase.
5. Impermissible storage of one current student-athlete's automobile for a period not longer than two months at an assistant coach's residence.
6. Impermissible telephone contacts with two prospective student-athletes.
Other than the academic fraud being known, the other five violations came to light after former assistant coach Janon Lampley met with Purdue's compliance staff in February 2006, according to the public documents. Purdue then suspended both Merriweather and George and began an investigation.
The NCAA declined to comment because the investigation is still ongoing.
There were five other potential NCAA wrongdoing allegations that came forth through the investigation. However, none were confirmed through interviews conducted by Purdue's compliance staff.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on July 18, 2007.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Offense Stalls In 16-3 Loss To Ohio State
By Leroy Bridges
Executive Reporter
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Purdue's offense didn't take advantage of a stellar defensive performance and caused the Boilers to lose 16-3 Saturday.
Purdue didn't score a touchdown and failed to get inside No. 12 Ohio State's 30-yard line until the last minute of the game. But not once did coach Joe Tiller consider replacing senior quarterback Curtis Painter, which he did last week against Penn State when the offense failed to produce.
"He was into the game," Tiller said of Painter. "He had good feedback on the sideline. I didn't think he was flustered at all. Overall, I thought he played much better this week than last week."
Tiller said Painter's sideline interaction with offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher was much more spirited this week. Rather than saying "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah" when discussing on-field plays, Painter was well aware of why he chose to do certain things.
"He had the right answers on the sideline," Tiller said. "He was really into the game. So, I thought that he took last week and what happened to him as a challenge from studying the game point of view."
Painter finished the game 23-of-53 passing, totaling 228 yards with one interception and a fumble. He said he couldn't really point out any specific problems with the offense and didn't think he changed anything from last week to this week.
"I don't think anything was different," Painter said of his sideline manner. "I don't think I took any special initiative to be in it anymore."
Senior running back Kory Sheets said it is time for a change on offense. He didn't specify what kind of change but that one was needed.
"I honestly don't know (where we're at). But Obama said it best " it's time for change," Sheets said. "I think we've got to do something in the offense or change something to where we're moving the ball effectively and putting points on the board."
Sheets said he always has Painter's back and even saw a Painter of old.
"During the game today, I saw him come into his own and start playing like the old Curtis Painter," Sheets said. "He started checking the ball, and no matter what the play was he was somewhat doing his own thing. I told him, just keep playing like yourself. Now I'm starting to see the Curtis Painter I fell in love with."
The last time Purdue's offense failed to score an offensive touchdown was last year against Penn State. Last week against the Nittany Lions, the Boilers (2-4, 0-2) scored only six points and that came late in the fourth quarterback with backup QB Joey Elliott. Despite the lack of offensive production, defensive coordinator Brock Spack said there are no worries that his defense will start blaming the offense for its lack of production.
"You point a finger, you have three pointing back at you," Spack said. "We win as a team, we lose as a team. There are going to be times when we screw it up. These guys are good kids. They'll pick each other up."
Tiller's message after the game was very similar to Spack's comments.
"You've got to keep your heads up and stay positive," Tiller said. "Don't go around and stick your lower lip out and pout about it. There's still a lot of football left to be played. Our football team's getting better."
Purdue has now lost 17-straight games against ranked teams.
Executive Reporter
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Purdue's offense didn't take advantage of a stellar defensive performance and caused the Boilers to lose 16-3 Saturday.
Purdue didn't score a touchdown and failed to get inside No. 12 Ohio State's 30-yard line until the last minute of the game. But not once did coach Joe Tiller consider replacing senior quarterback Curtis Painter, which he did last week against Penn State when the offense failed to produce.
"He was into the game," Tiller said of Painter. "He had good feedback on the sideline. I didn't think he was flustered at all. Overall, I thought he played much better this week than last week."
Tiller said Painter's sideline interaction with offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher was much more spirited this week. Rather than saying "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah" when discussing on-field plays, Painter was well aware of why he chose to do certain things.
"He had the right answers on the sideline," Tiller said. "He was really into the game. So, I thought that he took last week and what happened to him as a challenge from studying the game point of view."
Painter finished the game 23-of-53 passing, totaling 228 yards with one interception and a fumble. He said he couldn't really point out any specific problems with the offense and didn't think he changed anything from last week to this week.
"I don't think anything was different," Painter said of his sideline manner. "I don't think I took any special initiative to be in it anymore."
Senior running back Kory Sheets said it is time for a change on offense. He didn't specify what kind of change but that one was needed.
"I honestly don't know (where we're at). But Obama said it best " it's time for change," Sheets said. "I think we've got to do something in the offense or change something to where we're moving the ball effectively and putting points on the board."
Sheets said he always has Painter's back and even saw a Painter of old.
"During the game today, I saw him come into his own and start playing like the old Curtis Painter," Sheets said. "He started checking the ball, and no matter what the play was he was somewhat doing his own thing. I told him, just keep playing like yourself. Now I'm starting to see the Curtis Painter I fell in love with."
The last time Purdue's offense failed to score an offensive touchdown was last year against Penn State. Last week against the Nittany Lions, the Boilers (2-4, 0-2) scored only six points and that came late in the fourth quarterback with backup QB Joey Elliott. Despite the lack of offensive production, defensive coordinator Brock Spack said there are no worries that his defense will start blaming the offense for its lack of production.
"You point a finger, you have three pointing back at you," Spack said. "We win as a team, we lose as a team. There are going to be times when we screw it up. These guys are good kids. They'll pick each other up."
Tiller's message after the game was very similar to Spack's comments.
"You've got to keep your heads up and stay positive," Tiller said. "Don't go around and stick your lower lip out and pout about it. There's still a lot of football left to be played. Our football team's getting better."
Purdue has now lost 17-straight games against ranked teams.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Oct. 15, 2008
Belief - Not Hope - Can End The Streak
By Leroy Bridges
Executive Reporter
Believing – not hoping – to be successful against No. 12 Ohio State is essential for Purdue Saturday.
Senior wide receiver Desmond Tardy isn’t one to hope. He’s a believer. And if the Boilers have any chance of ending two streaks – winless against ranked teams since 2003 and winless in Columbus, Ohio since 1988 – against the Buckeyes, they better believe they can win.
“We have to go up there with the mentality that we can win,” said Tardy, who’s never played at Ohio State (5-1). “Not hoping we can win, but believing we can win. There’s a big difference in that. You should know you can win.”
After talking with six players and two coaches this week, it appears Purdue (2-3) believes it can beat the Buckeyes. Coach Joe Tiller said his players were “saying the right things” and senior captain Ryan Baker said the team is angry.
“This team is motivated by anger right now,” Baker said. “We’re going to do everything it takes to win the game. It’s going to be a hostile crowd and a hostile team we’re playing and it’s going to fun.”
Tardy recognized how “crazy” college football plays out every year and thinks it might be time for Purdue’s big upset. So, playing carelessly and flawlessly will be imperative against a “great team.”
“Our backs are against the wall so we have to come out fighting,” Tardy said. “This is a chance to show how we are going to respond to what’s been going on with us. It’s time to go up there to believe and not hope.”
It’s the first time Purdue has played at Ohio State since losing 16-13 in overtime during the 2003 season. That was the first of 16-straight losses against ranked teams for Purdue.
“That was about as disappointed as I have been with a loss,” Tiller said about the 2003 game in Columbus, Ohio. “I was absolutely convinced we could win that game.”
Tiller may not be convinced about this Saturday’s game, but if he believes, Purdue just might get the win it’s been looking for the last five years.
Executive Reporter
Believing – not hoping – to be successful against No. 12 Ohio State is essential for Purdue Saturday.
Senior wide receiver Desmond Tardy isn’t one to hope. He’s a believer. And if the Boilers have any chance of ending two streaks – winless against ranked teams since 2003 and winless in Columbus, Ohio since 1988 – against the Buckeyes, they better believe they can win.
“We have to go up there with the mentality that we can win,” said Tardy, who’s never played at Ohio State (5-1). “Not hoping we can win, but believing we can win. There’s a big difference in that. You should know you can win.”
After talking with six players and two coaches this week, it appears Purdue (2-3) believes it can beat the Buckeyes. Coach Joe Tiller said his players were “saying the right things” and senior captain Ryan Baker said the team is angry.
“This team is motivated by anger right now,” Baker said. “We’re going to do everything it takes to win the game. It’s going to be a hostile crowd and a hostile team we’re playing and it’s going to fun.”
Tardy recognized how “crazy” college football plays out every year and thinks it might be time for Purdue’s big upset. So, playing carelessly and flawlessly will be imperative against a “great team.”
“Our backs are against the wall so we have to come out fighting,” Tardy said. “This is a chance to show how we are going to respond to what’s been going on with us. It’s time to go up there to believe and not hope.”
It’s the first time Purdue has played at Ohio State since losing 16-13 in overtime during the 2003 season. That was the first of 16-straight losses against ranked teams for Purdue.
“That was about as disappointed as I have been with a loss,” Tiller said about the 2003 game in Columbus, Ohio. “I was absolutely convinced we could win that game.”
Tiller may not be convinced about this Saturday’s game, but if he believes, Purdue just might get the win it’s been looking for the last five years.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Oct. 9, 2008
The Streak
By Leroy Bridges
Executive Reporter
No player on Purdue’s roster has beaten a ranked team as a Boiler.
It’s been four years, 10 months and 30 days since the Boilers last beat a ranked team.
For fans and media, it matters. Coaches and players, however, are insistent it’s not something they think about. Between two coaches and six players, all of them said the team’s mindset and preparation don’t change for a game against a ranked opponent.
“What we look for is try to improve as the season goes along regardless of the opponent, regardless if it’s a ranked team or not a ranked team,” said coach Joe Tiller, who is 12-36 against ranked teams in his more than 11 years at Purdue. “We don’t measure ourselves against our opponent, we measure ourselves against ourselves.
“If the media didn’t keep score like that, I wouldn’t know what the record against ranked opponents was.”
The loss that started it all
It was Nov. 15, 2003.
No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 11 Purdue, 16-13 in overtime in Columbus, Ohio.
A week after Purdue beat the highest ranked team it beat since No. 6 Michigan during the 2000 season; Purdue couldn’t supplant the Buckeyes who eventually won the Fiesta Bowl.
Purdue’s Bobby Iwuchukwu blocked a field goal at the end of regulation to force an overtime only to have Ben Jones miss a 37-yard field goal in the extra period. Looking back, Kyle Orton had his second-most famous fumble in the end zone, which immediately was jumped on for a TD with 11:23 left in the game. The TD made it 13-6 OSU. The win was Ohio State’s third of the season without scoring an offensive touchdown. Since then, Purdue has been outscored 456-257 in 15 games against ranked teams.
Senior captain Ryan Baker knows that to be the best, you have to beat the best. So, when he heard the 0-16 against-ranked-teams statistic his reaction wasn’t favorable.
“I was like ‘Wow, that’s not a good statistic. That’s a horrible statistic,” Baker said. “You have to beat good teams to do well. That is one way to measure it, yes. You have beat good teams. You have to. And that’s not a good statistic.”
Senior quarterback Curtis Painter said he doesn’t necessarily use the 0-16 record against ranked teams as a measuring stick. He did acknowledge that “great teams play well against other great teams.”
“We’re not going to go up there today and say we’re playing the X-rated team,” said Painter, whose 0-10 against ranked teams as the starting QB. “No matter what they’re ranked, we’re going to go in there and play the same. We don’t really pay much attention to that.”
Senior wide receiver Desmond Tardy has thought about it and even wondered why. The streak, Tardy said, doesn’t wear on the team, but it should motivate the Boilers.
“It means something. It means we should go out with more motivation,” Tardy said. “We want to change that tradition of losing to all the ranked teams.”
The last time it happened
It was Nov. 8, 2003.
No. 16 Purdue beat No. 10 Iowa, 27-14 in Ross-Ade Stadium.
Curtis Painter, still a senior at Vincennes High School, had verbally committed to attend Purdue University just a month earlier.
That Saturday in Ross-Ade was far from the normal Boiler win. It featured a potent rushing-attack that totaled 154 yards on 44 attempts. QB Kyle Orton threw the ball only 20 times. The result was a battered Hawkeye defense, which entered the game as the nation’s fourth-best run defense.
What many Purdue fans didn’t have in mind after leaving Ross-Ade that day was a 59-month skid against ranked teams.
Senior running back Kory Sheets proved he had no idea of the streak. When asked about it, he brought up Purdue beating the Buckeyes in 2004, his freshman season. Most wins against Ohio State would notch a victory against a top-25 team, but that season the Buckeyes finished 8-4.
Ohio State is ranked No. 12 heading into this weekend’s game, so the streak could go full-circle and end in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday.
Executive Reporter
No player on Purdue’s roster has beaten a ranked team as a Boiler.
It’s been four years, 10 months and 30 days since the Boilers last beat a ranked team.
For fans and media, it matters. Coaches and players, however, are insistent it’s not something they think about. Between two coaches and six players, all of them said the team’s mindset and preparation don’t change for a game against a ranked opponent.
“What we look for is try to improve as the season goes along regardless of the opponent, regardless if it’s a ranked team or not a ranked team,” said coach Joe Tiller, who is 12-36 against ranked teams in his more than 11 years at Purdue. “We don’t measure ourselves against our opponent, we measure ourselves against ourselves.
“If the media didn’t keep score like that, I wouldn’t know what the record against ranked opponents was.”
The loss that started it all
It was Nov. 15, 2003.
No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 11 Purdue, 16-13 in overtime in Columbus, Ohio.
A week after Purdue beat the highest ranked team it beat since No. 6 Michigan during the 2000 season; Purdue couldn’t supplant the Buckeyes who eventually won the Fiesta Bowl.
Purdue’s Bobby Iwuchukwu blocked a field goal at the end of regulation to force an overtime only to have Ben Jones miss a 37-yard field goal in the extra period. Looking back, Kyle Orton had his second-most famous fumble in the end zone, which immediately was jumped on for a TD with 11:23 left in the game. The TD made it 13-6 OSU. The win was Ohio State’s third of the season without scoring an offensive touchdown. Since then, Purdue has been outscored 456-257 in 15 games against ranked teams.
Senior captain Ryan Baker knows that to be the best, you have to beat the best. So, when he heard the 0-16 against-ranked-teams statistic his reaction wasn’t favorable.
“I was like ‘Wow, that’s not a good statistic. That’s a horrible statistic,” Baker said. “You have to beat good teams to do well. That is one way to measure it, yes. You have beat good teams. You have to. And that’s not a good statistic.”
Senior quarterback Curtis Painter said he doesn’t necessarily use the 0-16 record against ranked teams as a measuring stick. He did acknowledge that “great teams play well against other great teams.”
“We’re not going to go up there today and say we’re playing the X-rated team,” said Painter, whose 0-10 against ranked teams as the starting QB. “No matter what they’re ranked, we’re going to go in there and play the same. We don’t really pay much attention to that.”
Senior wide receiver Desmond Tardy has thought about it and even wondered why. The streak, Tardy said, doesn’t wear on the team, but it should motivate the Boilers.
“It means something. It means we should go out with more motivation,” Tardy said. “We want to change that tradition of losing to all the ranked teams.”
The last time it happened
It was Nov. 8, 2003.
No. 16 Purdue beat No. 10 Iowa, 27-14 in Ross-Ade Stadium.
Curtis Painter, still a senior at Vincennes High School, had verbally committed to attend Purdue University just a month earlier.
That Saturday in Ross-Ade was far from the normal Boiler win. It featured a potent rushing-attack that totaled 154 yards on 44 attempts. QB Kyle Orton threw the ball only 20 times. The result was a battered Hawkeye defense, which entered the game as the nation’s fourth-best run defense.
What many Purdue fans didn’t have in mind after leaving Ross-Ade that day was a 59-month skid against ranked teams.
Senior running back Kory Sheets proved he had no idea of the streak. When asked about it, he brought up Purdue beating the Buckeyes in 2004, his freshman season. Most wins against Ohio State would notch a victory against a top-25 team, but that season the Buckeyes finished 8-4.
Ohio State is ranked No. 12 heading into this weekend’s game, so the streak could go full-circle and end in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Oct. 9, 2008
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