April 13, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Carri Long (Brazil, Ind., Northview H.S.) and Brian Cardinal (Tolono, Ill., Unity H.S. ) have been named Purdue's Athletes-of-the-Month for their outstanding performances throughout March. The award is sponsored by WLFI-TV and Twin City Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth.
Long, a senior on the women's track and field team, had an outstanding month for the Boilermakers. After ending the month of February with a Big Ten Conference title, the high jumper managed to finish second at the NCAA Championships, marking the highest finish of any Purdue athlete or team in the country, for the 2000 season. The fifth-year senior cleared the bar at 6-01.50 to take runner up and earn All-America honors for the second-consecutive year. Long preceded her impressive showing at NCAA's with a 5-09.25 jump at the USATF National Championships to place seventh.
Cardinal, a senior on the men's basketball team, helped the Boilermakers to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. The Boilers' basketball team won its first three games in the tourney against Dayton, Oklahoma and Gonzaga to advance to the final eight and a matchup against Wisconsin in the West Regional Finals. This marked the third straight season the Boilers had advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, and the Boilers' second Elite Eight since 1994. Through the span of five games, Cardinal scored in double figures in four out of five games, averaging 12.6 ppg and six rpg. His line in the opening game of the tournament against Dayton was his most impressive, as he shot seven of 11 from the field and two-of-four from beyond the arc. He ended the game with 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals.