April 28, 1998
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -
Basketball's Chad Austin (Richmond, Ind., H.S.) and swimming's Marisa Watts (San Jose, Calif., Presentation H.S.) have been named Purdue's winners of the Big Ten Conference Medals of Honor. The awards are given annually to a senior male and female student-athlete who best demonstrates proficiency in scholastics and athletics, along with leadership and high moral character. They are among the highest honors league seniors can receive.
Austin, a two-time first team All-Big Ten guard, helped lead the Boilermakers to an unprecedented record of success the past four years. Over that span, Purdue won two Big Ten championships, played in the NCAA Tournament all four years and racked up a 97-33 (.746) win-loss record.
Austin played through various injuries this past season to pace the Old Gold and Black to a 28-8 record. He averaged 17 points per game and a team-high 3.7 assists per contest. He was chosen team co-MVP after setting a school career record for most three-point field goals (212).
Chad and his brother, Woody, are one of only three brother combinations in conference history to each score 1,000 career points (Chad ranks 10th in school history with 1,694 points).
Watts is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection who won four consecutive Academic All-America honors by the College Swim Coaches Association.
She was honorable mention All-America the last two years in the 1650 freestyle, and led the Boilers to 31st place in the NCAA Championships this past season. A two-time team MVP, Watts holds various school records. She won the 1998 Purdue Pride in Swimming Award for her relentless effort for the team.