Purdue University

Discover more about the Purdue Hurling Club and the Purdue Twirling Team.

Hurling and Twirling 

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to former Purdue football players Mike Phipps and Don Kiepert, who played on the iconic late 1960s team under Coach Jack Mollenkopf.&nbsp;&nbsp;This quarterback duo friendship started at Purdue, and the two have been best friends for more than 50 years. After graduating, Mike went on to play quarterback in the NFL for 12 years for the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, while Don had a successful career running multiple pharmaceutical companies.&nbsp;&nbsp; You’ll hear Mike and Don share stories about loyalty, persistence and the legacy behind Boilermaker football legend Leroy Keyes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Come for the behind-the-scenes history of the 1967 Big Ten championship team, stay for stories only decades of Boilermaker friendship can provide.&nbsp;

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to former Purdue football players Mike Phipps and Don Kiepert, who played on the iconic late 1960s team under Coach Jack Mollenkopf.  
This quarterback duo friendship started at Purdue, and the two have been best friends for more than 50 years. After graduating, Mike went on to play quarterback in the NFL for 12 years for the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears, while Don had a successful career running multiple pharmaceutical companies.  
You’ll hear Mike and Don share stories about loyalty, persistence and the legacy behind Boilermaker football legend Leroy Keyes.  
Come for the behind-the-scenes history of the 1967 Big Ten championship team, stay for stories only decades of Boilermaker friendship can provide. 


Boilermaker Bond: Celebrating 50+ Years of Purdue Friendship

Celebrating 50+ Years of Purdue Friendship with Mike Phipps and Don Kiepert

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting the story of the Anthrop family, a Purdue Athletics legacy from West Lafayette, Indiana.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you’re a Purdue sports fan, you’ve probably heard the name Anthrop. Brothers Dru, Danny and Jackson Anthrop were all Boilermaker athletes, and their father, John, played both basketball and baseball for Purdue, and was on Purdue’s 1980 Final Four team.&nbsp;&nbsp; Listen in as the family shares highlights of what it was like growing up with Purdue essentially in their backyard, traveling to away games and how they balanced academics and athletics.&nbsp;&nbsp; Plus, hear from Jana Anthrop (also known as Mama Anthrop) on what the Purdue community and Boilermaker spirit has meant to their family throughout the years.&nbsp;&nbsp; You don’t want to miss this special legacy episode!&nbsp;

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re highlighting the story of the Anthrop family, a Purdue Athletics legacy from West Lafayette, Indiana.  
If you’re a Purdue sports fan, you’ve probably heard the name Anthrop. Brothers Dru, Danny and Jackson Anthrop were all Boilermaker athletes, and their father, John, played both basketball and baseball for Purdue, and was on Purdue’s 1980 Final Four team.  
Listen in as the family shares highlights of what it was like growing up with Purdue essentially in their backyard, traveling to away games and how they balanced academics and athletics.  
Plus, hear from Jana Anthrop (also known as Mama Anthrop) on what the Purdue community and Boilermaker spirit has meant to their family throughout the years.  
You don’t want to miss this special legacy episode! 



Boilermakers for Life: The Anthrop Family Legacy

In this episode of "This Is Purdue,” we’re diving into Purdue Day of Giving, an annual event to support Purdue's giant leap as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Every year on Purdue Day of Giving, thousands of alumni, donors and friends pay it forward – and show just how much the university has meant to them.&nbsp; Amber Turner, assistant vice president for broad-based campaigns and strategic engagement for the Purdue for Life Foundation, and Kate Pottschmidt, senior director of broad-based campaigns and digital engagement for the Purdue for Life Foundation, discuss how Day of Giving got started in 2014 and how it’s grown since then to raise a total of $241.5 million.&nbsp; Plus, you’ll hear from Dick Buell, establisher of the L. Dick Buell Endowed Head Men’s Basketball Coaching position and President’s Council (part of the Purdue for Life Foundation) member, about why he focuses on giving back to his alma mater.&nbsp;&nbsp; Mark your calendars – this year’s Purdue Day of Giving is Wednesday, April 27!&nbsp;<ul><li> </li></ul>

In this episode of "This Is Purdue,” we’re diving into Purdue Day of Giving, an annual event to support Purdue's giant leap as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Every year on Purdue Day of Giving, thousands of alumni, donors and friends pay it forward – and show just how much the university has meant to them. 
Amber Turner, assistant vice president for broad-based campaigns and strategic engagement for the Purdue for Life Foundation, and Kate Pottschmidt, senior director of broad-based campaigns and digital engagement for the Purdue for Life Foundation, discuss how Day of Giving got started in 2014 and how it’s grown since then to raise a total of $241.5 million. 
Plus, you’ll hear from Dick Buell, establisher of the L. Dick Buell Endowed Head Men’s Basketball Coaching position and President’s Council (part of the Purdue for Life Foundation) member, about why he focuses on giving back to his alma mater.  
Mark your calendars – this year’s Purdue Day of Giving is Wednesday, April 27! 


Purdue Day of Giving Celebrates Boilermaker Spirit and Community

In this episode of "This Is Purdue," two couples share their love stories that began&nbsp;during their time at Purdue University.&nbsp; Randy and Linda Shields, co-chairs of President’s Council (part of the Purdue for Life Foundation), and Norm and Karen Blake, President’s Council members, are celebrating 45 and 56 years of marriage, respectively, after meeting at Purdue.&nbsp; You’ll hear why both couples continue to foster relationships and volunteer within the Boilermaker community and their generational stories of traditions, friendships and family. &nbsp; Do you have your own Boilermaker Bond love story? We want to hear from you! Tag us on social media @LifeAtPurdue with the hashtag #ThisIsPurdue. &nbsp;

In this episode of "This Is Purdue," two couples share their love stories that began during their time at Purdue University. 
Randy and Linda Shields, co-chairs of President’s Council (part of the Purdue for Life Foundation), and Norm and Karen Blake, President’s Council members, are celebrating 45 and 56 years of marriage, respectively, after meeting at Purdue. 
You’ll hear why both couples continue to foster relationships and volunteer within the Boilermaker community and their generational stories of traditions, friendships and family.  
Do you have your own Boilermaker Bond love story? We want to hear from you! Tag us on social media @LifeAtPurdue with the hashtag #ThisIsPurdue.  



Boilermaker Bond: Celebrating 45+ Years of Marriage

In this episode of This Is Purdue, we’re talking to Purdue basketball icon Coach Gene Keady.&nbsp;&nbsp; It’s prime time for college basketball season and March Madness is officially here. What better way to celebrate than to listen to our episode with Coach Keady?&nbsp; You’ll hear the 25-year head coach of the Boilermakers men’s basketball team discuss Purdue’s balance of academics and athletics and why he loves watching his protégé, Matt Painter, coach.&nbsp; Plus, listen in to hear Coach Keady’s thoughts on the NCAA March Madness tournament, why Mackey Arena is such a special place and his game day traditions. You don’t want to miss this episode with a true Boilermaker legend!&nbsp;

When Gene Keady first came to West Lafayette in the spring of 1980, no one could have anticipated him accomplishing so much during his tenure at Purdue. However, after 25 years of running up and down the sidelines and perfecting his famous scowl, Gene Keady's name has become synonymous with Boilermaker basketball. He forever will be known as one of the greatest to ever coach the game.

Many would say that coaching 25 years in NCAA Division I basketball is an accomplishment within itself. However, it often is overlooked that Keady spent 22 years making his way up the coaching ranks before coming to Purdue. He achieved success at all levels of the game, something that is rarely seen in coaching today.

"He has come up all levels: he coached high school, then junior college, then was a college assistant, and I think that is what our coaches really appreciate," said former coaching assistant to Keady and current Illinois head coach Bruce Weber. "He has done it with all levels of talent, and he hasn't stepped on anyone along the way. I appreciate coaches like him."

Keady began his coaching career at Beloit High School in Kansas in 1958 after a brief stint in the NFL playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After compiling a 102-47 record in six seasons as head coach of Beloit High, Keady made his way to Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College, where he would prove himself ready to coach Division I basketball.

Under Keady, Hutchinson won six league titles and qualified for six national tournaments, including a second-place showing and 29-4 overall record in 1972-73. He was named junior college coach of the year in Region Six three consecutive times (1971, 1972, 1973), and is enshrined in the National Junior College Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and coach.

Keady left Hutchinson in 1974 for an assistant coaching position at Arkansas under a living legend, Eddie Sutton. As Sutton's assistant, Keady worked tirelessly recruiting nationally renowned prospects and contributed in molding one of the finest programs in the nation.

Keady's time under Sutton prepared him for his first head coaching position in Division I basketball at Western Kentucky, his final stop before reaching West Lafayette.

While becoming a prominent leader in two years at Western Kentucky, Keady caught the eye of onlookers at Purdue as he led the Hilltoppers to a 38-19 record, a share of the Ohio Valley Conference championship title in 1979, and a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Keady was named Purdue's 17th head coach on April 11, 1980, embarking on his illustrious career at the helm of Boilermaker basketball. His would be the second-longest men's basketball coaching tenure in school history, second only to Ward Lambert's 28 seasons.

Keady came to Purdue during a period where coaches such as Bob Knight, Jud Heathcote, Lou Henson and Lute Olson led the Big Ten. He was left with big shoes to fill after previous head coach Lee Rose led the Boilermakers to a Big Ten title and a Final Four appearance in the two previous seasons.

Instantly becoming one of the Big Ten's most respected coaches, Keady led the Boilermakers to a Big Ten championship in his fourth season. Along with his first conference title, Keady was named Big Ten coach of the year and national coach of the year for the first time in his career.

Keady went on to win three Big Ten titles and appear in eight NCAA Tournaments in his first decade at Purdue. During that period, Keady would go on to be named Big Ten coach of the year three times and national coach of the year twice.

One of Keady's most memorable accomplishments at Purdue came in the mid-90s when the Boilermakers won three consecutive conference titles. From 1994 to 1996, the Boilermakers ruled the Big Ten and Keady was honored as the league's coach of the year each of those seasons. He also received national coach of the year honors all three seasons.

By the end of his career, Keady led the Boilermakers to 14 20-win seasons, including six seasons with 25 or more wins. He left Purdue as the school's all-time-winningest coach with a record of 512-270 (.655). His conference record of 265-169 (.611) ranks him second in wins in Big Ten history.

Keady led the Boilermakers to 22 postseason births (17 NCAA Tournaments). Purdue's best performances in the "Big Dance" were a couple of appearances in the Elite Eight in 1994 and 2000. He led the Boilermakers to the Sweet 16 in 1988, 1989 and 1999.

Keady was named Big Ten coach of the year a record seven times- tying Bob Knight- and national coach of the year six times, second only to Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.

With all these accolades and accomplishments under his belt, many would think that there was not much more Keady could have done as coach. However he did just as much for his players off the court as he coached them on it.

To Keady, basketball was more than just a game he coached; it was a tool he used to teach his players how to succeed in school as well as in life.

"Graduating, becoming a good person, and having the right morals were far more important to coach than any award or accolade," said former Boilermaker and current NBA player Brian Cardinal. "He constantly put our own personal life goals ahead of his athletic goals."

Nearly 90 percent of Keady's seniors who stayed at Purdue for four seasons graduated. During his tenure, Boilermakers were selected Academic All-Big Ten 35 times, and earned Academic All-American honors seven times.

Along with being a mentor to his players throughout his career, Keady also played a prominent role in United States Basketball.

As the head coach of various USA Basketball teams, Keady racked up a record of 22-2 in four different tournaments from 1979 to 1991. He led Team USA to two gold medals: one in 1979 at the National Sports Festival, and another in 1989 at the World University Games. Keady also grabbed the silver medal in 1985 at the R. Williams Jones Cup and the bronze at the 1991 Pan-American Games.

Throughout his prestigious career and still today, Keady continues to be a major player in the development of college basketball. He is a member and former president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and remains one of the leading spokesmen on issues surrounding college basketball.

Keady is known to give back to the game of basketball whenever he gets the chance. He performs charity work, makes numerous speaking appearances every year, and is okay accommodating to fans and news media.

In his 25 years at Purdue, Keady did it all, from coaching champions to graduating students. The toughness he showed on the court and the way he continues to represent basketball today exemplifies what his profession is all about.

Gene Keady

Former Purdue University Men's Basketball Head Coach

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Purdue basketball icon Coach Gene Keady.  
It’s prime time for college basketball season and March Madness is officially here. What better way to celebrate than to listen to our episode with Coach Keady? 
You’ll hear the 25-year head coach of the Boilermakers men’s basketball team discuss Purdue’s balance of academics and athletics and why he loves watching his protégé, Matt Painter, coach. 
Plus, listen in to hear Coach Keady’s thoughts on the NCAA March Madness tournament, why Mackey Arena is such a special place and his game day traditions. You don’t want to miss this episode with a true Boilermaker legend! 


In-depth with Purdue Basketball Icon Coach Gene Keady

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Scott Niswonger, founder and chair of the Niswonger Foundation, which was established to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee.&nbsp; After graduating from Purdue, Scott founded both Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, and is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude affiliate clinics in the world.&nbsp; Scott embodies Boilermaker spirit and innovation — whether it's creating jobs and employing more than 9,000 people in a rural area of Tennessee or changing high school students’ lives with the Niswonger Foundation.&nbsp; Listen in to hear how Purdue’s unique flight curriculum propelled Scott to where he is now. Plus, you don’t want to miss his stories on why giving back and investing in his community has been rewarding beyond measure.&nbsp;

Scott Niswonger was born in Van Wert, Ohio where he learned to fly, soloing on his 16th birthday. During his aviation career, he has flown everything from J-3 Cubs to the Boeing 747.

He is a graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Aviation Technology and was awarded a Doctor of Technology in 2004. In addition, Mr. Niswonger earned a BS Degree in Business Administration from Tusculum University in 1986 and later was honored with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2006. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from East Tennessee State University and a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Tennessee.

After graduation from Purdue University, Mr. Niswonger moved to Greeneville, Tennessee as the corporate pilot for the president of The Magnavox Company. In 1973, Niswonger started a cargo airline, General Aviation, Inc. After selling General Aviation he became the Vice President of North American Operations for Flying Tiger Lines – a military contractor and global cargo airline. He later co-founded a second transportation company, Landair Services, with an initial investment of $2,000; and in 1990 formed Forward Air Corporation. Those companies today have annual sales of over $1 billion. It’s impressive to note that he founded the first two companies to ever be taken public in Greene County’s 233-year history. Niswonger currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation (NASDAQ:FWRD).

He is a former member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE: FHN), the parent of First Tennessee Bank, an $87 billion financial services company. He is the Chairman of East Tennessee State University Board of Trustees and a 30-year Trustee of Tusculum University. At Purdue University he is a member of the President’s Council, Deans Council for Purdue University Polytechnic Institute, board member for the Purdue Research Foundation and Chairman of Purdue Aviation.  Mr. Niswonger was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019.

Scott Niswonger is also the Chairman of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville TN and serves on the Board of Directors of Ballad Health, a 21 hospital – healthcare enterprise with over 15,000 employees.

He is especially proud of the Niswonger Foundation that he established in 2001 to create opportunities for individual and community growth through education and other sustainable projects. This educational operating and charitable foundation currently has 20 scholars in universities across America and 81 alumni. The Foundation supports numerous programs and partnerships with school districts in Northeast Tennessee. The Foundation has an annual program budget of more than $5 million and has invested nearly $70 million in the region.

Niswonger is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude Affiliate Clinics in the world.

With an exceptional level of involvement, businessman and philanthropist Scott Niswonger has made a positive impact for those who will follow.

Scott and his wife, Nikki, have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

Scott Niswonger

Purdue BS aviation technology ’68 & Chairman/Founder, Niswonger Foundation 

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Scott Niswonger, founder and chair of the Niswonger Foundation, which was established to make a positive and sustainable difference in education in Northeast Tennessee. After graduating from Purdue, Scott founded both Landair Transport, Inc. and Forward Air Corporation, and is the lead benefactor for the Niswonger Children’s Hospital, which is home to one of only eight St. Jude affiliate clinics in the world. Scott embodies Boilermaker spirit and innovation — whether it's creating jobs and employing more than 9,000 people in a rural area of Tennessee or changing high school students’ lives with the Niswonger Foundation. Listen in to hear how Purdue’s unique flight curriculum propelled Scott to where he is now. Plus, you don’t want to miss his stories on why giving back and investing in his community has been rewarding beyond measure. 


Aviation Alum, Philanthropist Scott Niswonger on Purdue's Lifelong Impact

This is Purdue, the official podcast for Purdue University, highlights stories about Boilermakers from across all disciplines, who through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap. Hosted by Purdue University alum, Brian Lamb School of Communication graduate, and Indiana native Kate Young, This is Purdue aims to examine all of the incredible accomplishments of Boilermakers and their contributions to the world. Join us every other Thursday as we interview students, faculty, and alumni taking small steps toward their giant leaps, and inspiring others to do the same.

Purdue University

Hurling and Twirling

DESCRIPTION

Today's Host

Kate Young

Recent Episodes