Aug. 23, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A former Purdue president who served as athletics director for a time leads the list of 2001 inductees to the Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
The late Edward Elliott, Purdue president from 1922 to 1945, joins George King, former athletics director, and six other Boilermaker greats in the new class.
The 2001 group, which will be formally inducted in November, brings to 64 the number of Hall of Fame inductees since its founding in 1994. The formal induction and dinner will be Nov. 2 at the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms. The class will be introduced at halftime of the Nov. 3 Purdue-Illinois football game. Ticket information for the induction dinner and football game is available by calling the Purdue Athletic Ticket Office at (765) 494-3194.
The permanent 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 2001 Hall of Famers in alphabetical order are:
Joe Campbell-- -- His selection was based on being a two-sport athlete in 1955, 1956 and 1957. He was the 1955 NCAA individual golf medalist. Joe was an All-American and two-time Big Ten individual champion. A basketball starter for two years, he was team captain and Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 1957. Joe became Purdue's head men's golf coach in 1974, a position he held for 18 years. The team captured a Big Ten Championship in 1981.
Sybil (Perry) Caruthers -- Caruthers' selection was based on winning four letters in track and field and being a captain of the team in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Sybil graduated with 10 Purdue records in sprints and hurdles. A two-time MVP and four-time All-American in the 60 meters, 400 meters and two sprint medley relays, Sybil also held several Big Ten titles and records. Sybil competed in the 1984 Olympic trials and was named to the Purdue Hall of Honor for her contributions to the program.
Edward Elliott - President Elliott was chosen based on his leadership of the university from 1922 to 1945, during which he saw the completion of Ross-Ade Stadium, Lambert Fieldhouse and Gymnasium, and two golf courses. Purdue won nine Big Ten basketball titles and two football titles during his era. In difficult years for the nation, he gave leadership and support to intercollegiate athletics, improving its administration and status, even serving as interim athletics director for a year in 1940.
Cecil Isbell -- Isbell's selection was based on being a player and coach at Purdue. This 1937 All-American contributed to Purdue's football tradition while gaining fame for offensive innovation. He played halfback for the Boilermakers for three years -- 1935, 1936 and 1937. Cecil went on to play professional football with the Green Bay Packers for four years. He then coached four years at Purdue, three as head coach, before becoming head coach of the Baltimore Colts.
Bob King -- He was selected partly because as an assistant basketball coach from 1960 through 1974, he was responsible for recruiting Purdue greats Rick Mount and Dave Schellhase among many notable Boilermakers. Bob also was an assistant and associate athletics director from 1974 to 1993, providing guidance for hundreds of Boilermakers as they fulfilled their academic requirements. Bob also held top leadership positions in several Indiana coaching organizations.
George King -- King's selection was based on being men's basketball head coach from 1965 to 1972 and director of intercollegiate athletics from 1971 to 1992. As men's basketball head coach, George led Boilermaker teams to a 109-64 record and took Purdue to a Big Ten title and its only NCAA national championship game in men's basketball in 1969. After becoming athletics director in 1971, he provided leadership for 21 years. George was instrumental in increasing Purdue's national role by heading the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and chairing postseason bowl committees.
Dale Samuels--- -- Samuels' selection was based in part on leading Purdue to a stunning upset of the No. 1-ranked Notre Dame football team in 1950, ending the Irish unbeaten streak at 39 games. He was the starting quarterback in 1950, 1951 and 1952. During that time he showed the talent and leadership that also served him well later in service to Purdue. His totals in passing yards (3,154), touchdown passes (27) and completion percentage (.502) still remain high in Boilermaker rankings. Dale went on to serve Purdue as assistant coach, alumni association official and associate athletics director.
Fred Wilt -- Wilt's selection was based on being head women's track and field and women's cross country coach from 1978 through 1989. During his tenure Fred's teams finished ahead of their opponents 79.7 percent of the time in track and field and 76.3 percent of the time in women's cross country. He produced 17 different All-Americans, including national champion Andrea Marek in the 3,000 meters in 1982. Under Fred's leadership the track and field team won its first Big Ten title in 1989 and cross country title in 1980.
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.