Aug. 24, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Six Purdue student-athletes have been selected as this year's Durham Brothers Leadership Award winners. They are David Blomberg of baseball, Katie Douglas of women's basketball, Megan Dooley of women's softball, Matt Martin of men's swimming, Ginger Lakos of women's swimming and Dan Swan of men's tennis.
The Durham Brothers Leadership Awards are given in honor of G. Robert "Bull" Durham and John G. Durham, D.D.S. The Durham Brothers Leadership Awards are presented to student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership to their teammates both on and off the playing field through their positive attitude, strong work ethic and overall commitment to excellence. These student athletes were chosen by a group of select administrators and head coaches.
Blomberg, a senior outfielder, batted .308 in his third season with the Boilermakers while starting all 55 games. He led the team in walks with 34 and ranked second in stolen bases with 19 (in 21 attempts). Blomberg scored 41 runs, totaled 82 bases and had a fielding percentage of .965. He spent this past summer playing shortstop for the Harrisonburg Turks of the Shenandoah Valley league. He was named the team most valuable player and led the Turks to the Valley league Championship.
Douglas, a senior guard/forward, was the 1999-2000 Purdue Female Athlete of the Year and the Big Ten Player of the Year. Last season, Douglas earned All-America honors from Kodak and U.S. Basketball Writers Association after leading Purdue to a 23-8 record and its third consecutive Big Ten Tournament Championship. A team tri-captain as a junior, Douglas led the Boilermakers in points (20.4), assists (4.7) and minutes (37.5). She also earned Academic All-Big Ten and second team Academic All-Big Ten and second team Academic All-America accolades.
Dooley, a junior pitcher, made an impressive comeback after undergoing preseason knee surgery. She appeared in 30 games, including 26 starts, with a 12-11 record and a snappy 0.73 ERA that ranked seventh in the nation. In 153.2 innings pitched she surrendered merely 98 hits with 54 strikeouts. Dooley authored two no-hitters, against Temple on Feb. 19 and Iowa State on Feb. 26. They were the second and third no-hitters in school history. She also had a one-hitter against Michigan State on March 31. Dooley enters her senior season ranked third on Purdue's career wins list with 26 (trailing Sheryl Scheve with 35 and Jenn Markert with 30).
Martin, a team co-captain, is the Boilermakers' leading distance swimmer. An All-American and school-record holder in the 1650 free, Martin also owns school standards in the 500 and 1000 free. Martin earned All-Big Ten at-large honors as a junior, as well as Academic All-America recognition from College Swim Coaches Association. He recently competed at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, placing 16th in the 1500 meter free and 20th in the 400 meter free
Lakos, a 1996 Hungarian Olympian, will represent her country in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. The MVP for Purdue's 1999-2000 season, Lakos is part of the record-setting 200 and 400 free relay teams. Lakos is the team's top 100 and 200 freestyle swimmer and ranks second on the all-time list for the 200 free. Lakos, an Academic All-Big Ten pick as a sophomore, is also tied for third on the all-time list for the 100 free.
Swan, a senior co-captain, is on his road to recovery after multiple surgeries on his right elbow. He will be able to compete in the 2000-2001 season after being redshirted last year. Swan was an Academic All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore.