Purdue News
Purdue News
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August, 2000
Purdue selects seven members for Athletic Hall of FameWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.-- Purdue has announced the selection of seven former student-athletes to join the Athletic Hall of Fame this fall, bringing its total membership to 56 since its inception in 1994. The formal induction and dinner are scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. The class will be introduced at halftime of the Nov. 18 Purdue-Indiana football game. Tickets for the induction dinner and football game will be available at the Athletic Ticket Office after Oct. 1. There is a five-year waiting period from the time a former athlete, coach or administrator leaves Purdue before he or she can be nominated. A permanent Athletic Hall of Fame plaza area is located on the outdoor concourse between Mackey Arena and the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility, near the message board on Northwestern Avenue. The display consists of a series of obelisks, flags and lighting. The 2000 Hall of Famers in alphabetical order are: Adam Abele – Adam's selection was based on being the 1984 Big Ten Singles Champion, 1983 Big Ten runner-up, and an All-Big Ten selection. Adam finished with the best individual record in Purdue history, was Academic All-Big Ten all four years, a 1983 District 4 Academic All-American, and a 1984 Big Ten Medal of Honor winner. He was voted the team's most valuable player all four years. Tom Bettis – Tom's selection was based on being a two-time team MVP and co-captain in football, along with being named an All-American at guard in 1954. Tom was selected to participate in three college all-star games. He played professional football with the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears. He was a head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs as well as a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Andrea Marek – Andrea was chosen based on advancing from being a walk-on to becoming a national champion in the 3,000 meter run in 1982, capturing six Big Ten Championships, being a four-time All-American and member of the 1982 U.S. Olympic Festival North Team. She was selected team MVP, for leading Purdue's 1980 Big Ten and regional title teams and claiming back-to-back championships in the 1500 meters in 1981 and 1982. Claude Reeck – Claude's selection was based on being Purdue's head wrestling coach from 1937-68, during which time he turned out 29 individual Big Ten Champions and 11 NCAA and AAU Champions. As a Purdue coach Claude won six Big Ten Conference team championships beginning in 1942, coached the 1950 Purdue NCAA runner-up team, and was inducted into the Collegiate Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1963. Claude was also named the sport's "man of the year" in 1963. Joe Rudolph – Joe was the executive director of the Purdue Alumni Association from 1953 to 1988, and played an important role in establishing the John Purdue Club in 1959. Joe is a 1948 Purdue graduate, having served as a football manager, as well as being a member of the Gimlet spirit organization. Joe Sexson – Joe's selection was based on being a basketball and baseball star at Purdue, as well as being head baseball coach from 1959 to 1977 and assistant basketball coach for 18 years. Joe was Indiana's Mr. Basketball in 1952 and was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in baseball. He was a three-time varsity letterwinner in both baseball and basketball, received the Big Ten Medal of Honor for athletic ability and academic achievement, and was a captain and team MVP for men's basketball in 1956. Elmer Sleight – Elmer's selection was based on being a Big Ten Medal of Honor winner for proficiency in scholarship and athletics in 1930 and for being Purdue's first All-American in football, a member of Purdue's undefeated 1929 Big Ten Championship team, and a professional football player for two years with the Green Bay Packers. Elmer was also a three-year letterwinner from 1927-1929. Source: Purdue Athletic Public Relations; (765) 494-5447
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