September 8, 2016

Olympic gold medal rower Elmore returns to Purdue

Amanda Elmore Amanda Elmore, a 2013 Purdue graduate and an Olympic champion in the women's eight crew, shows her gold medal as a fan takes a selfie. Elmore was honored Thursday (Sept. 8) at the Purdue Boathouse. (Purdue University photo/Charles Jischke) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The way coach David Kucik sees it, Amanda Elmore gave plenty when she was a member of the Purdue Crew team. And now, after her Boilermaker days are over, she’s giving even more – a legacy to which others can aspire.

Kucik was among a throng of local and Purdue community members who turned out Thursday (Sept. 8) to honor Elmore for her gold medal performance as part of the women’s eight crew in the Rio Olympics last month. The event was at the Purdue Boathouse.

“This is a historic event for Purdue University, its alumna and, monumentally, for the value of a recreational sports experience that significantly enhances a student’s undergraduate classroom education,” Kucik said. “Amanda is an exceptional woman with personal and academic accolades. Now, she stands atop the athletic world stage with an Olympic gold medal.”

Elmore, a 2013 Purdue graduate in biological sciences and now a graduate student at the University of Michigan, was on hand for the invitation-only event to greet many familiar faces. The reception was open to members of Lafayette Harrison High School, where she graduated from high school, to Purdue’s biological sciences and physics and astronomy departments, the latter of which her father served as professor; Boilermaker administration; government officials; and the Purdue crew team.

“As a rec sports athlete who had little provided, Amanda paid and worked along with her teammates to fund the existence of Purdue Crew so that crew athletes had the opportunity to train and compete,” Kucik said. “She is the first Purdue woman graduate to earn the title of Olympic champion. Ever! She is fully sponsored by the University of Michigan to earn her Ph.D in biomedical sciences and is a superb example to all, especially women. Dream it, sustain commitment, hold work ethic high and be competitive to achieve it.” 

Source: David Kucik, 765-491-4700, dwk@purdue.edu

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