Allow me to recommend former Purdue Tight End, Tim Stratton. Tim has done a tremendous job for me recently, so I'd encourage you to give him a call or email him if you or others you know are in the market (he covers ILL, IN, OHIO among other states). You might even get a couple football war stories out of him :-) Anyways, here is his contact info (and please tell him I referred you):

Tim Stratton, Loan Officer
Mortgage Now, Inc.
Office: 630-573-0903
Email: stratton89@aol.com

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It's not too late to order your tickets for Purdue Football this fall, click on the link below!

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/marketplace/tickets/tickets-body.html

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Hello again, everybody! It has been a crazy summer for me, but if all goes according to plan this 'TexasBoiler' will have relocated to Fishers, IN by September 1st. That gives me approximately one week as 'Ex-TexasBoiler' to get settled in and prepare for the very short drive up I-65 on Saturday September 6th.

Nearly every Boiler fan I've encountered lately is absolutely jacked up for this football season. Despite a tough schedule, many are confident that we are in store for a very memorable season. A memorable season that might just mean at least a share of the Big 10 title and a BCS bowl game appearance. Certainly, defending National Champion Ohio St. and the always tough Michigan will have something to say about our plans when we have to travel to The Shoe and The Big House. We also have to travel to Wisconsin, which is never an easy place to win. Then there are extremely tough home games against Penn St (who we have never beaten in Big 10 play) and Notre Dame (who beat us last time in Ross-Ade and have won 3 straight in the series). Teams like Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, Wake Forest and even Bowling Green are capable of upsetting us if we don't come to play. Northwestern at home ought to be a gimme as should Indiana at Ross-Ade South (ie, Gloomington Memorial Stadium).

So given the daunting schedule, why is there so much optimism? Well, for starters, our defense should be downright salty. We've got 9 starters back on defense led by potential All-American free safety Stuuuuuuuu Schweigert. Stuart will be paired up with either Deaunte Ferrell at strong safety or possibly a highly touted freshman named Bernard Pollard from Fort Wayne (who now appears to be eligible!). RS Frosh John Lampert (Drew Brees's relative) may also see some time at SS if he recovers from a nagging injury. For the first time in recent memory, it seems like we have 2 very experienced, relatively tall, and very fast corners in Jaques Reeves and Antwaun Rogers. Sean Petty and Brian Hickman will provide depth at corner.

At LB, we have arguably the league's best trio in OLB's Landon Johnson and Gilbert Gardner with "Mr. Mean" Niko Koutovides in the middle. Jon "G-Train" Goldsberry, Bobby Iwuchukwu, and Jason Leimberger will see some action at LB also. We are absolutely loaded at DE with a slimmed down 4 year starter in Shaun Phillips, Kevin Nesfield, Vedran Dzolovic, Brent Hawkins and then 2 of the biggest recruits we ever landed in freshman Doug Van Dyke and "Big Play" Ray Edwards. RS Frosh Anthony Spencer figures to be in the mix at DE also should he recover from injury. Anchoring the middle of the line are 3 year starter Craig Terrill and a member of the All Big 10 Freshman team, Brent Grover. 300 plus pound Dontrey Flemings may also see action if he recovers from a broken leg and Brandon Villareal will certainly see some action.

I covered the offense in the last edition on May 22nd (http://oldgoldfreepress.com/columnist/TexasBoiler/columns/146.shtml), and things look very promising minus a very short depth chart on the offensive line. IF the o-line can stay healthy and gel together nicely, we can unleash a tremendous arsenal of weapons at RB and WR to go along with 2 very capable QB's and we should put up a lot of points this year.

Unfortunately, highly touted incoming WR, Cole Seifrig, was drafted in the 5th round by the Florida Marlins, and he has chosen to play minor league baseball for the time being. The good news though is that WR Dustin Keller has looked good in early drills this summer and Jake Cunningham supposedly ripped off th fasted 10 yd sprint time at Don Beebe's House of Speed this summer, faster than any current Chicago Bear!

The major area of concern is, once again, special teams. However, this year Coach Tiller seems to really have changed things around with detail freak, Mark Hagen, now overseeing the operations. Hagen may even venture down to Virginia Tech this summer where legendary special teams guru, Frank Beamer, has invited Hagen to visit. In addition, 2 of our new assistant coaches, have tremendous experience in coaching special teams. Henceforth, Boiler fans expect much better things from our special teams this season.

In football recruiting news, we have been on fire lately! Not only did we secure a punter/place kicker in Dave Brytus over the likes of offers from Michigan and Ohio State, but we also landed the state's top QB in Curtis Painter from Vincennes, IN (ranked #14 nationally by Insiders.com). In addition, another top QB/ATH from Texas, David Ramirez, verballed recently. Ramirez plays with a very compelling WR prospect named Lance Leggett (6-4 with 4.3 speed allegedly) who has offers from Texas, Texas A&M, and Florida among others. How nice would it be to land a WR over the likes of those schools, especially from Mack Brown who usually gets every kid he wants in The Lone Star State?

The 3 recruits mentioned above join OL Jordan Grimes and recently 4-star rated (Rivals.com) DE/LB Dwayne Holmes from Michigan. Holmes is sort of a soft verbal right now as his offer list continues to grow and he intends to take other visits this fall. However, he seems to have told Coach Spack recently that he remains solid for Purdue.

Moving over to basketball news, Steve Lavin was NOT hired as our top assistant coach and former All Big 10 point guard at Wisconsin, Tracy Webster, was hired instead.

Things are not quite as encouraging on the recruiting front. We finally did end up losing star in state guard/forward Robert Vaden to Mike Davis and IU. That blow was somewhat softened by news that top 50 guard Xavier Price from Illinois gave us a verbal commitment. However, many Boiler fans are disheartened as IU has put together a stellar class around Vaden to include another in state prospect in James Hardy that we were after, and two top 10 big men from Georgia and Alabama. Moreover, two top in state targets for 2005 (6-10 Luke Zeller and 6-9 Josh McRoberts) don't list Purdue amongst their first tier of favorites anymore and top 20 guard/small forward Malik Hairston (who matched up favorably with Vaden in AAU play a few months ago) mentioned that he had NOT heard from Purdue in awhile.

We are making a charge on one of the state's best guards in North Central's AJ Ratliff, but supposedly Xavier and Iowa are making a strong push also. Other prospects we are in on include:

1. Juco PF, Carl Landry from Vincennes JC
2. PF, Ollie Bailey from Chicago, IL

Have a great weekend! I will do my best to get back in the swing of more consistent updates next week.

-Barclay

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Ross-Ade, Remade
Stadium abuzz with construction activity
July 1, 2003
http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/070103aab.html
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Don't have time to read 328-page football magazine? Try this site
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/columns/200307070purdue_football1057555918.shtml



"Perhaps the thickest college football preview magazine currently on local newsstands is Phil Steele's complex breakdown of each NCAA Division I team.
Those who don't want to fork over $7.95 or take the time to wade through the interesting but wordy examinations can get a sneak preview at www.ncsports.com. Click on Steele's photo for the full listing of stories.
The Web site features some of the articles in Steele's magazine as well as his preseason top 40, which differ from his power ratings, but that shouldn't concern Purdue fans."
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Purdue players like what they read
College football magazines say Boilermakers could challenge for the Big Ten championship.
By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
July 8, 2003
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/5/056375-3265-041.html
"Taylor Stubblefield passes some of the hot summer days in West Lafayette, Ind., by glancing at college football preview magazines.
"It's good for our team to see some of that stuff," the Purdue wide receiver said. "Not only what we think we can do, but what other people think we can do."
The Sporting News has Purdue ranked 12th nationally and Lindy's has it 16th. Athlon puts the Boilermakers 19th and Phil Steele's College Football Preview ranks them 20th.

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Brees has high hopes for former, current teams
Chargers QB believes Boilers are legitimate Big Ten title contender
By Kyle Wright, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200306250purdue_football1056602928.shtml
"Count Drew Brees among those expecting big things from the Purdue football program this fall
Brees, the All-American quarterback of the Boilermakers' 2000 Big Ten Conference championship team, discussed the upcoming Purdue season and his own future with the NFL's San Diego Chargers during an appearance Wednesday at the 26 Crossings Purdue Employees Federal Credit Union.
Brees' eyes lit up like he they would if he saw a wide-open receiver in the end zone when the current state of Purdue football came up.
"The fact is, I think next year, if we play well on defense, well on special teams and don't turn the ball over on offense, I feel like there's no reason why we can't win a Big Ten Championship," Brees said. "It looks like we have a very talented team."
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Summer no vacation for Boilers
Lathrop: Working out now crucial to success later
By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200306250purdue_football1056518352.shtml
"While most people are busy swimming, boating and picnicking during the summer months, college football players across the nation are busy pumping iron and running wind sprints.
Including members of the Purdue football team.
The Boilermakers' voluntary summer workout program began last Monday, and 75 players -- including all those on scholarship -- are on campus working up a serious sweat."
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Boilermakers forecast to win nine games
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/columns/200306300purdue_football1056950111.shtml


Ken Thompson

www.collegefootballnews.com and its writers have been the biggest Purdue advocates this side of The Sporting News during the Joe Tiller era, and this fall finds little to change that opinion.
The Boilermakers are picked to go 9-3 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten for a tie for fourth place with Minnesota. Purdue also figures in two of the site's "Five Most Important Conference Games" list, the Michigan game on Oct. 25 and the Ohio State contest on Nov. 15. Both, by the way, are projected losses in CFN's opinion.
Safety Stuart Schweigert and linebacker Landon Johnson are preseason first-team All-Big Ten selections. Schweigert also ranks ninth, followed by wide receiver John Standeford, in CFN's top 30 Big Ten player rankings, regardless of position."
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Michael Pointer: Purdue Q&A
Indianapolis Star sports reporter Michael Pointer answers your questions about the Boilers.
June 26, 2003
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/024965-8476-117.html
"Question: After getting beaten down by IU over the Robert Vaden affair, I'm trying to think about Purdue football for awhile. Where is Purdue's quarterback situation at in comparison to last year and the great years Drew Brees had? I assume it's somewhere in the middle. I'm just hoping to regain some respect around the country for our offense. (Bill from Franklin, Wis.)
Answer: The offense was pretty good most of last season. The running game was by far the best it's been during the Joe Tiller era and John Standeford was terrific. The problem was pretty obvious. It was turnovers. Purdue turned the ball over way too much, and did it at really inopportune times. (Of course, when is a good time to commit a turnover?)
If Purdue's turnover ratio is just even this season, I think the offense will really improve. I say that because I have quite a bit of faith in Kyle Orton. He looked very good in the spring and I think he learned a lot about dealing with adversity last year. He's got a chance to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten next season, which is quite a compliment considering there are some good, veteran quarterbacks in the league. Is he as good as Drew Brees? Let's not go that far just yet."
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Painter continues family's Purdue tradition
Vincennes QB set to become third-generation Boilermaker
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200307020purdue_football1057123406.shtml
"Curtis Painter grew up dreaming of playing a sport for Purdue like his grandfather.
Thanks to an outstanding junior football season at Vincennes Lincoln High School and an impressive camp performance two weeks ago, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback had his fantasy come true last Friday when the Purdue coaching staff called with a scholarship offer.
"It's always been a place I dreamed of going to," said Painter, who quickly became the second quarterback to give the Boilermakers a verbal commitment over the weekend. "I was always kind of hoping they would offer me."
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Purdue easy sell for Texas QB
Academics, passing game attract Ramirez
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200307011purdue_football1057036161.shtml
"Purdue's academic and football reputation made it easy for David Ramirez to say yes.
The Arlington Grace Prep quarterback and his coach, former NFL tight end Mike Barber, were impressed when Boilermaker offensive coordinator Jim Chaney visited the private school during spring drills. Chaney departed equally impressed, resulting in a quarterback camp invitation and eventually, the scholarship offer last Friday.
"When I saw the campus, it was beautiful," Ramirez said Monday. "Purdue's campus is a lot nicer than TCU, Texas A&M and Texas. Purdue felt clean and home.
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Dorsch fan commits to Boilermakers
Pennsylvania kicker spurns Wolverines, Buckeyes
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200306280purdue_football1056777786.shtml
"Dave Brytus gave Michigan and Ohio State two weeks to change his mind about Purdue.
The Wolverines and Buckeyes never really stood a chance.
Growing up a fan of Purdue and All-American punter Travis Dorsch, the punter-place kicker from West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pa., committed to the Boilermakers on Friday, two weeks after receiving his scholarship offer.
"I waited so long because I wanted to check out other schools, but from day one, I always thought Purdue would be the place," Brytus said. "I fit in there best with the coaches, players, the whole environment. I came to camp for the first time after my sophomore year, and I really fell in love with Purdue."
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Koutouvides flattered by duo's 'Neke's Freaks' shirts
By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200307010purdue_football1057036161.shtml
"Free safety Stuart Schweigert has his fan club, and now Niko Koutouvides will have his cheering section. Last season, when the Purdue football team played in Ross-Ade Stadium, a handful of fans would show up making it very clear who their favorite Boilermaker player was by wearing "Stu's Crew" T-shirts. This year, "Neke's Freaks" will be joining the parade
McNall, a 2003 Purdue graduate, and Chris Owens, who earned his Boilermaker degree in the mid-1980s, are spearheading the sale of the Koutouvides T-shirts.
"We picked him because he is an outstanding player," McNall said of Purdue's senior middle linebacker. "He's going to be an All-American. He's an outstanding student and an outstanding role model."
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hot corner
Purdue uniform change aims to make numbers readable
By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
July 2, 2003
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/1/054863-2321-041.html
Purdue fans complained long and loud last fall about not being able to read the numbers on the football team's new gold home uniforms. School officials believe that will no longer be a problem.

The athletic department announced Tuesday the white numerals outlined in black will be replaced by black numerals outlined in white. Black and white trim will replace last year's black-only trim around the arms and neck.

"We didn't do any polling, but I think if you did, nine out of 10 (people) would have thought the numbers were hard to read," Purdue spokesman Tom Schott said. "When the head coach agrees with that, and top administrators agree with that, it's the right thing to do."
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Webster new Purdue assistant
Former Wisconsin standout replaces Price on Keady's staff
By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200306030purdue_hoops1054618468.shtml
For Tracy Webster, an offer to join the Purdue men's basketball coaching staff is one he couldn't -- and wouldn't -- refuse. The former Wisconsin standout guard and a member of the Ball State staff for the past three seasons is thrilled to be reunited with former Big Ten Conference rivals Cuonzo Martin and Todd Foster, who comprise the rest of Gene Keady's staff.
"Coach Keady didn't sugarcoat anything, and that's how I like it. People say you should go somewhere you're comfortable. That's how I feel about Purdue. Knowing Zo and Todd, everything came together perfectly. Zo and Todd were very supportive. I can't wait to work with them."
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Purdue's straight talk resounds with Price
The guard from Illinois has orally committed.
By Pete DiPrimio
of The News-Sentinel

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/6257264.htm
INDIANAPOLIS -- Xavier Price could handle the truth, which is why he's committed to becoming a Purdue Boilermaker.

"The Purdue coaches told me how it was," Price said. "That was different than everybody else, who told me college was going to be like cookies and cream. I know that isn't true. The Purdue coaches were real with me and that's what I like about them."

Price, a 6-3 guard from O'Fallon, Ill., averaged 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for O'Fallon High School near St. Louis. He was ranked 45th nationally by USA Today. Hoop Scoop rated him as the nation's No. 21 shooting guard
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Lingering questions unanswered with hiring
By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/columns/200306031purdue_hoops1054618468.shtml
"At first glance, Monday's hiring of Tracy Webster seems logical for the Purdue men's basketball program.
Webster is young, has three years of Division I coaching experience, was a starting guard at Wisconsin and has ties to the Chicago area, a fertile recruiting ground.
During any other point in the Gene Keady era, Webster's hire would be applauded."
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Lavin still interested in succeeding Keady
By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200306032purdue_hoops1054618468.shtml
"Steve Lavin -- a popular choice among many Purdue fans to fill the void on Gene Keady's coaching staff -- isn't discouraged by Monday's news that Ball State assistant Tracy Webster is the choice.
In a phone interview from his Marina Del Rey, Calif., home, the former UCLA coach and former Keady assistant said he hopes to be considered for the head coaching position when his former boss retires."
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Deane accepts Pistons' invite to play in NBA summer league
From Staff Reports
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/07/02§ion=sports&storyid=deane
"Guard Willie Deane might not have gotten drafted in Thursday's draft, but he will still get a chance to make an NBA roster through the Detroit Piston's summer league team.

Coach Gene Keady said he had gotten Deane, who averaged 17.8 points as a senior, a tryout with the Pistons, but instead they invited him to be on their summer team. The summer league takes place in Orlando, Fla., and will give Deane five games to showcase his ability.

Deane's fellow senior Darmetreis Kilgore didn't sign with an NBA summer team, instead he is going to focus on his summer classes and make a decision about his basketball future in August, according to Keady. He may pursue a team overseas.

Joining Deane in the NBA summer league will be former Boilermaker Brain Cardinal. Cardinal has played for Detriot and Washington in the past, but was released midseason by the Pistons and will be playing for the Miami Heat in the summer league."