Athletics

The RIP Squad

The RIP Squad

Meet students from the talented men’s practice team who help prepare Women’s basketball to face their toughest competition.

When Matt Collins drives to the basket and sinks a layup in Mackey Arena, he hears the thunderous roar of the crowd echoing across the rafters.

Often cited as the loudest arena in the Big Ten, nothing pumps a player up like the electric atmosphere created by 10,000-plus screaming fans on their feet. If it was a particularly challenging play, Collins might even throw a little celebration in to stoke the competitive juices of the opposing team.

Happy Birthday, Doc

Happy Birthday, Doc

K-State’s oldest living football player turns 100

As a boy, Russell “Doc” Hardin ’46 dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. He never thought he’d have an opportunity to pursue that dream. Raised on a farm north of Knightstown, Indiana, during the Depression, there was a time when the family’s only income came from milking their 20 head of cattle — a chore Hardin started at age 9.

Running the Show

Running the Show

Hustle and grit refine setter Hayley Bush’s standout performance

Moving from a hometown with a population roughly one-third the size of Purdue’s student enrollment required some getting used to for Hayley Bush, a junior in the College of Agriculture. The sense of family and familiarity of the landscape attracted her to West Lafayette.

Major Player

Major Player

Tyler Duncan nabs first PGA Tour title, realizing childhood dream

Tyler Duncan (M’12) swung his first golf club at 6 years old.

“My grandpa built clubs at the local golf course,” says the Columbia,Indiana, native. “He would just cut off a 3-wood, an 8-iron, and a putter, and I would just ride around on the golf cart and hit some shots with my grandparents.”

For Love of Family

For Love of Family

Tight-knit bonds formed among wrestlers leave lifelong impact

Dylan Lydy (HHS’19) came to college to wrestle. The fact that he also fell in love with his major was incidental. As a 21st Century Scholar, Lydy never had to worry about securing scholarship assistance as an undergraduate. The program covers up to four years of tuition. Lydy graduated with a degree in physical education in May. Now, his athletic scholarship is covering a fifth year, which he is using to pursue a master’s in sports and recreational management.

On and Off the Court

On and Off the Court

As a coach, Lindsey Hicks inspires students athletically and academically

Lindsey Hicks (LA’04) had no intention of coaching basketball. She’d just finished up playing professionally overseas for six season after college when she received a phone call that would change her life. The call was from Pam Stackhouse, who was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Purdue while Hicks was on the team.

“She called me on a random Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.,” Hicks says. “She asked me, ‘Lindsey, what are you doing?’ I told her, ‘Nothing. I’m not doing anything.”

On the Offensive

On the Offensive

Junior Kylie Hase persevered on the pitch, even when she wasn’t accepted

Kylie Hase doesn’t know how to take it down a notch. Growing up in Orland Park, Illinois, she started playing soccer at 3 years old in a church league. Her mother tells Hase she fielded concerns from other moms because Hase was very aggressive running around the field.

“I was competitive right from the start,” says the junior studying law and society in the College of Liberal Arts.