May 24, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior women's basketball players Kelly Komara, women's swimmer Katie Mullarkey and wrestler Jon Fitch have been named 2002 Red Mackey Award winners.
The Red Mackey Award is a one-year scholarship given annually to three student-athletes in the Purdue Division of Intercollegiate Athletics who have exhausted their athletic eligibility but want to continue their education. The athlete can use the award to complete his or her undergraduate degree or attend graduate school. One individual is nominated from each sport and then voted on by a panel of five athletics department administrators.
Each sport's nominee is voted on by his or her teammates. The panel then selects three individuals who have demonstrated leadership on the playing field and in the community, as well as growth during the season and support for teammates.
After redshirting his freshman season, Fitch finished his career at Purdue with an overall record of 45-49-8. He posted an 18-10-2 record in his senior season. Fitch was a three-time national qualifier and was a team captain his senior season. He majored in physical education and is going to continue his education in liberal arts. Fitch hails from Churubusco, Ind.
"Jon has achieved athletic success through sheer determination," said wrestling head coach Jessie Reyes. "He started here at Purdue as a walk-on, but ended his stellar career as a four-time letterman."
One of the most popular women's basketball players in Purdue history, Komara led the Boilermakers to their second consecutive outright Big Ten championship. She was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year and was a first team all-conference selection.
Komara averaged 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.0 steals per game. She holds the Purdue record for steals in a season with 120. She scored more than 1,000 points in her career and was selected by the Indiana Fever as the 34th overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft. She concluded her career as the Big Ten's all-time winningest player. Komara is a native of Schererville, Ind.
"Kelly is truly one of the finest individuals I have ever had the opportunity to coach," said women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry.
Mullarkey is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and competed in the 50 and 100 free at the Big Ten Championships. She has been on the Dean's List each semester that she has been at Purdue. Mullarkey hails from Tucson, Ariz.
"Katie is the epitome of an excellent student-athlete," said head women's swimming coach Cathy Wright-Eger. "While at Purdue, she has learned to be loyal, hard working and supportive of the team and coaching staff."