February 21st, 2010 at 10:59 am by Jim Shella under Jim Shella's Political Blog
Sen. Evan Bayh was just on CNN repeating his belief that he can accomplish more in a university setting or working for a foundation than in the Senate. Those who know Bayh suggest that he already has his next stop programmed, even though he indicates that’s not the case. Where will he end up?
There is plenty of speculation at the moment but here are the opportunities mentioned most often:
1-Bill Gates Foundation. He has friends there and an off-handed mention of the Gates Foundation in a Washington Post column about Bayh perked me up.
2-NCAA President. There is a vacancy to fill following the death of Myles Brand. It might be a good fit for Bayh and the NCAA. Would he have to move back to Indiana?
3-Purdue University President. Unhappiness with the current the President is the source of most of this speculation.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:01 pm by Eric Halvorson under Eric Halvorson's Blog
I can’t help looking for tidbits of history — especially when there’s an Indiana connection. Today, we have one. On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared as she tried to fly around the world. She wanted to be the first woman to do it.
The Indiana connection is Earhart’s link to Purdue University. She served as a career counselor for women students. That was in the 1935 – 1936 school year. Purdue says its president at that time hoped to attract more women to the university — and he hoped public respect for Earhart would be the attraction he sought.
An Earhart web site makes it clear that she knew the hazard of her final challenge. The site says that’s why – before starting that flight — she wrote a letter to her husband. ”I want to do it,” she wrote, “because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”
A new movie version of her story is in the works. Hillary Swank will portray Earhart. Here’s the trailer.
March 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm by Chris Widlic under Sports
Saturday’s stunning wire-to-wire victory over Pac-10 Champion Washington was a memorable hair-raiser that I can’t stop thinking about. The incredible blocks by rising Franklin Central grad star JaJuan Johnson down the stretch, the clutch free throw shooting after the Boilers last bucket came with 5:49 to go, the foul trouble they found themselves in after a too-closely called game by the officials..so many hurdles, all cleared. The last time a Purdue team made it this far? One of my favorite players, Citizen Pain, Brian Cardinal led the ‘99′-2000 team to Albuquerque where they fell a few points short of beating Wisconsin and getting Gene Keady to his only Final Four.The task ahead is formidable..top seed Connecticut, and possibly Memphis after that…wow. This is a true team..no superstars, all contributing, so anything can happen.
March 20th, 2009 at 7:16 pm by Chris Widlic under Sports
What viewers and sports fans don’t get to see behind the scenes in putting our stories together is priceless.
Today, a group of us were ready to enter the Purdue locker room to get interviews for the game with Washington, but the security guards said the tournament chairman said “No media allowed.” We were up against our five and six o’clock deadlines, so we pushed. Ten minutes later, despite Purdue officials and coaches saying it was fine to let us in, still no access. It set some of us off, the guard saying on his walkie-talkie that the media were trying to force their way into the locker room!
We eventually got in, and coach Matt Painter laughed and said after hearing the whole episode that he didn’t want to mess with us…an angry mob!
December 14th, 2008 at 11:59 am by Jeane Coakley under Sports
It fits don’t you think? Matt Painter is one of the nicest people I have met and a great coach to boot. He bleeds old gold and black. Purdue continues to look like the team to beat in the Big Ten. And I couldn’t be happier. They don’t have flashy players, just players that play hard all the time. Robbie Hummel is one of the quietest 20+ scorers in college ball. Once again, the Boilers are going to be fun to watch. I’m telling you I truly believe Coach Matt Painter is Purdue Pete.
