Cardinal Community Hoops drives forward

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The next phase of Purdue Cardinal Community Hoops is about to begin as the first court restoration nears completion and becomes ready for action.

The program, started in 2012 by Purdue Trademarks and Licensing, was designed to create community partnerships to take on projects such as restoring the basketball court in Lafayette's Murdock Park, which had been in need of major repairs. Brian Cardinal, former Purdue basketball great and current member of the Boilermaker athletic staff, will be joined by several dignitaries on Sept. 26 for the dedication of that newly restored court.

The project started last spring and includes new backboards, lights, some seating, court resurfacing, painting the court to look like the Mackey Arena basketball floor and bearing the name Purdue Cardinal Community Hoops. Cardinal will make periodic appearances at the court and a maintenance plan will be in place to assure the court's upkeep. The project is sponsored in part by Managed Health Services (MHS).

"MHS wants to improve the quality of life for Indiana residents, and we feel that providing beautiful and safe parks for our children to play in is a great start," said Patrick Rooney, MHS president and CEO. "We are committed to transforming the health of the community one person at a time, and we see this partnership with Purdue sports as a unique opportunity to continue that purpose."

David Wilson, Purdue University's licensing director, said, "We have put together a rather unique partnership, utilizing needs within the community, Brian's desire to give back and our licensing department's connections allowed us to begin the process of upgrading playgrounds, starting in the Lafayette area by restoring a basketball court that is in a state of disrepair."

The program, as it gains momentum, will lead to similar projects involving Cardinal and other former Purdue players around the greater Lafayette area, Indiana and beyond.

Purdue fans have the opportunity to inspire future Boilermakers and contribute to the program by merely buying merchandise from the Community Hoops/6th Boiler line. For each Community Hoops/6th Boiler item purchased, the vendor makes a donation to the Community Hoops fund.

Source: David Wilson, 765-494-1077, dcwilson@purdue.edu 

Note to Journalists: A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sept. 26 at the renovated basketball court in Lafayette's Murdock Park, located across the street from Murdock School, 2100 Cason St. Scheduled participants include Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski; David Wilson, director of Purdue Trademarks and Licensing; Purdue Athletics director Morgan Burke; Ted Bumbleburg, superintendent for Lafayette Parks and Recreation; Brian Cardinal, John Purdue Club; and a representative of MHS.