Anyway, the Purdue discussion board for the Face of the Program chatter is....apathetic. Thirteen posts in three weeks.
So I'm going to rattle off some candidates as the face of Purdue Athletics. It's kind of a dumb contest (though not as dumb as "Who's Now" or "The Greatest Highlight [Ruined By A Fat Slovenly Windbag]") since most schools don't have a Woody Hayes or a Joe Paterno. But hey, it's May, football season isn't for more than three months, so what the hell?
Away we go, in no particular order.
Candidate: Drew Brees, QB, '98-2000Why He Qualifies: Took Boilermakers to only their second Rose Bowl ever. Is most fondly remembered Purdue football player ever. Wasn't afraid of any team, ever.
Candidate: Joe Tiller, Head Coach, 1997-2008Why He Qualifies: Took Purdue out of the doldrums and made program respectable again, peaking with 2000 season Rose Bowl.
Candidate: Mike Alstott, FB, '93-'96
Why He Qualifies: All-time greatest rusher at Purdue, was a force even though team was terrible. Probably second most beloved Boiler ever, behind Brees.
Candidate: Purdue Pete, Mascot, Forever
Why He Qualifies: Even casual fans recognize him; strong chin; can beat up your mascot.
Candidate: Bob Griese, QB, '63-'66 (also baseball pitcher and basketball guard)
Why He Qualifies: Led Purdue to first Rose Bowl appearance; two-time All-American; funny name.
Candidate: Leroy Keyes, RB, '65-'68
Why He Qualifies: Two-time All-American; Probably greatest running back in Purdue history; goofy picture cannot be beaten.
Candidate: Brock Spack, Defensive Coordinator, 1997-PresentWhy He Qualifies: Defense was in top 3 in Big Ten -- including conference-best in 2002 -- from 2000-2004; Confused look is priceless and frequent; mustache is soup strainer quality.
Candidate: Jim Colletto, Head Coach, 1991-1996
Why He Qualifies: He doesn't, really. But he has a face. Okay, well, he recruited Mike Alstott, Billy Dicken and many other members of Purdue's first bowl team (1997) since 1984.
Candidate: Stu Schweigert, Safety, 2000-2003
Why He Qualifies: "If Stu didn't stop you, he didn't want to."
Candidate: Rick Trefzger, QB, 1993-1996
Why He Qualifies: Lefty; almost beat ND in 1996; Did upset #9 Michigan in 1996.
Candidate: Rod Woodson, DB, '83-'86
Why He Qualifies: Broad shoulders; chiseled features; dominating DB
Candidate: Len Dawson, QB, '53-'56
Why He Qualifies: One of the first of the "Cradle of Quarterbacks"; ageless like Dick Clark.
Candidate: Chris Jim Everett, QB, '82-'85
Why He Qualifies: Laser Rocket Arm; Beat up Jim Rome (sort of).
Candidate: Glenn Robinson, Forward, '91-'94
Why He Qualifies: Best Boilermaker basketball player since John Wooden; took Boilers to Elite Eight despite Gene Keady's coaching; beat Fab Five in Michigan, making Gene Keady skip for joy.
Candidate: Gene Keady, Head Coach, '81-'05
Why He Qualifies: Possibly most recognizable Boiler-related sports figure out there; the famous combover.
Candidate: Rowdy, Mascot, '97-'07
Why He Qualifies: Far less imposing than Pete; bounced on his head sometimes.
Okay, well those are just some suggestions. Did I miss any? Who would you vote for?
14 comments:
Just to be a dick, I'll point out that with Doak Walker, or even Eric Dickerson, I don't think SMU has to sweat it. I can't believe you passed up the obvious (and more accurate) shot against IU.
Go with a combo of Keady/Purdue Pete - you know, since they look the same. The pissed-off Pete, that is.
And a close second to Chris Everett - Rome sucks.
the choice is clear:
http://www.dabearsblog.com/images/013006/orton_dance.jpg
my vote is for either gene or drew. but i agree, kyle orton does deserve some sort of honorable mention.
To the Boiler Faithful: Mr. Drew Brees
No mountain was ever too big, he has always conducted himself in a manner that every alumnus would be proud of, no game was ever decided til the whistled blew one last time.
"Holy Toledo!"
To everyone else: Gene Keady
He has funny hair and won alot of games (just a few were important).
Purdue Pete was in my dream last night. I'm scared.
I second lil lebowski's (urban achievers!) thoughts exactly.
Yep, I'm unique like that.
Good post. Its gotta be Drew Brees. Especially when you consider what he's done in giving back to Purdue with donanations.
Kyle Orton...
How can everyone forget Stacy White McCarty? She was an integral part of the last team to win a national championship at Purdue...
Nah, I'm just fucking with you. It's gotta be Gene. Not only did he give us more than two decades of fantastic basketball, but he is also the patriarch of one of the best coaching family trees in the nation. Matty Painter is currently building our Boilers back up into a powerhouse. Bruce Weber took Illinois to a national title. And Cuonzo is about to turn Missouri State into a perennial MVC contender. I say, vote for the comb over
Isn't it Stephanie McCarty?
That Leroy Keyes pic is absolutely priceless. I love looking at it at Triple XXX or Harry's
Gotta be Brees, coming from a Hoosier fan.
It has to be Brees. Even seven years later He still has DHIT status in West Lafayette. He might even be able to get away with 2 or 3. Being a student there when he was doing his thing was incredible. He could walk across campus and there would be a buzz. People would see him in the halls of a building and dash into classrooms to announce his presence.
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