WEST LAFAYETTE - Purdue Athletics has unveiled the Class of 2022 inductees to the newly named Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame, with this latest grouping of Old Gold & Black standouts entering under the legendary namesake of one of the greatest Boilermakers of all-time.
Leading the way into the Hall of Fame is a former member of the Purdue Men's Swimming & Diving team who went on to become the longest-tenured athletic director in school history; the late Morgan Burke. The former leader of Purdue Athletics (1993-2016) oversaw several notable Boilermaker successes, including two national titles (women's basketball, 1999; women's golf, 2010) and 20 regular-season Big Ten Conference championships.
"This class of inductees is especially significant in that they are the inaugural group in the newly named Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame," said Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Bobinski. "While being inducted into our hall of fame has always been a significant accomplishment, it's even more distinctive from this class forward as we honor the memory of Leroy Keyes, a legendary Boilermaker who impacted the University and the lives of so many individuals in such positive ways. Included in the very distinguished Class of 2022 is Morgan Burke, our long-time athletics director and someone who worked tirelessly to position Purdue Athletics and generations of student-athletes for success. We're immensely proud of all these inductees and look forward to celebrating their legacies and accomplishments with family, friends and the Purdue community in February."
Along with Burke, the Class of 2022 includes Camille Cooper (women's basketball, 1998-2001), Walter Jordan (men's basketball, 1975-78), Joe Corso (wrestling, 1974-76), Darlene (Warta) Renie (women's swimming & diving, 1987-90), Stuart Schweigert (football, 2000-03), Lauren Sesselmann (soccer, 2001-05) and Alex Yunevich (football, 1929-31).
With the support of the Keyes family, Purdue Athletics and the John Purdue Club (JPC) have launched two memorial initiatives to commemorate the life and legacy of Leroy Keyes, the first of which being the naming of the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in his honor. Additionally, JPC donors have supported the creation of the Leroy Keyes Athletics Leadership Fellowship. The graduate position within the athletics department will offer an opportunity for a future minority leader to launch their career in intercollegiate athletics while furthering their education.
Purdue's latest hall of fame class will be publicly honored at Mackey Arena during the men's basketball game vs. Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 19.
LEROY KEYES PURDUE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2022
Morgan Burke, Administration, 1993-2016*
Morgan Burke led the Purdue Boilermakers as athletic director from 1993-2016, setting him as the longest-tenured athletic director in school history. During his tenure, the Boilermakers won two NCAA championships in women's basketball (1999) and women's golf (2010), while nine student-athletes captured a combined 15 individual national titles. Burke oversaw 20 regular-season Big Ten Conference championships and 14 tournament titles, including back-to-back-to-back men's basketball championships -- 1994, 1995 and 1996. The football team also embarked on a run of 10 bowl games in 12 seasons from 1997-2008. His incredible Purdue Athletics journey began during his time as a Purdue student when he became the captain of the swimming & diving team during his senior year. Burke graduated from Purdue University in 1973 with a degree in industrial management and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honor society. He then proceeded to a earn a master's degree in industrial relations from Purdue in 1975 and a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1980.
Camille Cooper, Women's Basketball, 1998-2001
Camille Cooper was a standout member of the 1999 NCAA Championship team and the 2001 NCAA Runner-Up squad. In her senior year, Cooper was a finalist for NCAA Women of the Year, earned First Team Academic All-America recognition from CoSIDA and was named an All-America Honorable Mention by the Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association. A four-year letterwinner from 1998-2001, Cooper added NCAA Regional All-Tournament recognition to her résumé in 1999 and 2001. Cooper helped lead the Boilermakers to three straight Big Ten Tournament titles from 1998-2000, and brought in three All-Big Ten awards for herself. She also earned three Academic All-Big Ten honors and was named Purdue's Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 2001. Cooper currently ranks 13th in school history with 1,575 career points; eighth all-time in rebounding (760), fourth in career blocked shots (195), ninth in double-doubles (14) and second in games played (137).
Joe Corso, Wrestling, 1974-76
Joe Corso contributed significantly to the success of both the Purdue and United States wrestling teams during his career. Corso was a two-year letterwinner (1974-75), competing at both 118 and 126 pounds. His senior season, in which he served as team captain, finished with an impressive record of 42-7. Corso won the 1975 Big Ten title at 126 pounds and was named the Big Ten Tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. Later that same year, Corso earned All-America status by placing third at the 1975 NCAA Championships. He went on to represent the United States at the 1976 Olympics Games in Montreal. He continued with a third-place World Championships finish and title at the Pan-Am Games in 1979. His work in wrestling continued as a coach, both at Purdue as an assistant coach and then in freestyle with USA Wrestling, earning the first-ever Women's Coach of the Year award in 2002.
Walter Jordan, Men's Basketball, 1975-78
Walter Jordan holds special status in Purdue Men's Basketball history as one-of-four Boilermakers with at least 1,800 points and 800 rebounds alongside Joe Barry Carroll, Terry Dischinger and JaJuan Johnson. To this day, he still ranks ninth in career scoring at 1,813 points, 11th in scoring average at 16.6 points per game and is fourth in career rebounds at 882. Jordan started 102 consecutive games, which is the third-longest streak in school history. During those games, he averaged 33 minutes per game and recorded 27 career double-doubles, which ranks 11th in Purdue's record book. Jordan's 394 points as a freshman in 1974-75 rank third-most in Purdue history, while his 14.1 scoring average ranks second. In the 1978 NBA Draft, Jordan was selected in the fourth round by the New Jersey Nets.
Darlene (Warta) Renie, Women's Swimming & Diving, 1987-90
Darlene Renie is held in high regard for her impressive Purdue career, long-time coaching career, and continued dedication to the Purdue Swimming & Diving programs. Renie was a four-year letterwinner (1987-90), and qualified for the NCAA Championships three times in the 200 butterfly (1988, 1989, 1990), as well as the 100 butterfly in 1988. In addition, Renie earned All-Big Ten Conference accolades in 1988 and 1990, as well as All-America status in 1989 and 1990 for the 200 fly (with an honorable mention for the 400 medley relay). In both 1988 and 1990, Renie claimed the Big Ten Championship title in the 200 fly. She was the first Purdue woman to break the two-minute barrier in the event, and her time still ranks ninth overall in program history. Renie graduated as a school record holder in both the 100 and 200 fly. Seven years later, Renie returned to Purdue Swimming & Diving as the women's assistant coach (1997-2011). Since 2011, she has served as the director of operations for both teams at the aquatic center.
Stuart Schweigert, Football, 2000-03
Stuart Schweigert boasted a stellar football career as both a Boilermaker and professional player. Schweigert was a four-year letterwinner (2000-03), earned First Team All-Big Ten Conference recognition in both 2001 and 2003, as well as Second Team All-America honors in 2003. He was named the 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and set Purdue's career interception record of 17, shattering the previous mark of 11. Schweigert led the team in tackles during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and ranked third as a junior and senior. In each of Schweigert's last three years, he finished as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He finished his storied career with 360 tackles (second all-time among Boilermaker defensive backs and ninth overall), 18 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. After his collegiate career, Schweigert was selected in the third round (67th pick) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
Lauren Sesselmann, Soccer, 2001-05
Lauren Sesselmann was a four-year letterwinner (2001-03, 05) and achieved First Team All-Big Ten Conference status in 2003 and 2005. She helped lead Purdue to four 10-win seasons, three NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2003 -- the same year she became the first Boilermaker to score 10 goals. In her four active seasons, Purdue's record totaled 48-24-12. She graduated as the school record holder in goals (34), assists (22), points (90), game-winning goals (13), shots on goal (124) and multi-goal games (7). To this day, Sesselmann still ranks Top 3 in program history in goals, assists and points, with her point record standing until 2017. She continued her success with Team Canada, winning gold at the 2011 Pan American Games and earning bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games. She also played in the 2015 World Cup. Sesselmann has also played in various professional leagues, including the NWSL, W-League and WPS.
Alex Yunevich, Football, 1929-31*
An All-Big Ten Conference fullback on Purdue's unbeaten conference championship team of 1929, Alex Yunevich was known as one of "four riveters" of the first Boilermaker team to win a Big Ten championship in football. He was a three-year letterwinner at fullback (1929-31) who bruised his way to 322 yards on 77 carries for an average rush of 4.2 yards during the league title campaign. Yunevich went on to have an outstanding 39-year coaching career at Central State Teachers College (now Central Michigan University) for three years and Alfred University in New York for 36 years before retiring in 1976 with a combined record of 186-98-13, including six undefeated seasons. He was named Small College Coach of the Year in 1956 and again in 1971. Yunevich has also been nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame.
*Posthumously inducted
Leading the way into the Hall of Fame is a former member of the Purdue Men's Swimming & Diving team who went on to become the longest-tenured athletic director in school history; the late Morgan Burke. The former leader of Purdue Athletics (1993-2016) oversaw several notable Boilermaker successes, including two national titles (women's basketball, 1999; women's golf, 2010) and 20 regular-season Big Ten Conference championships.
"This class of inductees is especially significant in that they are the inaugural group in the newly named Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame," said Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Bobinski. "While being inducted into our hall of fame has always been a significant accomplishment, it's even more distinctive from this class forward as we honor the memory of Leroy Keyes, a legendary Boilermaker who impacted the University and the lives of so many individuals in such positive ways. Included in the very distinguished Class of 2022 is Morgan Burke, our long-time athletics director and someone who worked tirelessly to position Purdue Athletics and generations of student-athletes for success. We're immensely proud of all these inductees and look forward to celebrating their legacies and accomplishments with family, friends and the Purdue community in February."
Along with Burke, the Class of 2022 includes Camille Cooper (women's basketball, 1998-2001), Walter Jordan (men's basketball, 1975-78), Joe Corso (wrestling, 1974-76), Darlene (Warta) Renie (women's swimming & diving, 1987-90), Stuart Schweigert (football, 2000-03), Lauren Sesselmann (soccer, 2001-05) and Alex Yunevich (football, 1929-31).
With the support of the Keyes family, Purdue Athletics and the John Purdue Club (JPC) have launched two memorial initiatives to commemorate the life and legacy of Leroy Keyes, the first of which being the naming of the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame in his honor. Additionally, JPC donors have supported the creation of the Leroy Keyes Athletics Leadership Fellowship. The graduate position within the athletics department will offer an opportunity for a future minority leader to launch their career in intercollegiate athletics while furthering their education.
Purdue's latest hall of fame class will be publicly honored at Mackey Arena during the men's basketball game vs. Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 19.
LEROY KEYES PURDUE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2022
Morgan Burke, Administration, 1993-2016*
Morgan Burke led the Purdue Boilermakers as athletic director from 1993-2016, setting him as the longest-tenured athletic director in school history. During his tenure, the Boilermakers won two NCAA championships in women's basketball (1999) and women's golf (2010), while nine student-athletes captured a combined 15 individual national titles. Burke oversaw 20 regular-season Big Ten Conference championships and 14 tournament titles, including back-to-back-to-back men's basketball championships -- 1994, 1995 and 1996. The football team also embarked on a run of 10 bowl games in 12 seasons from 1997-2008. His incredible Purdue Athletics journey began during his time as a Purdue student when he became the captain of the swimming & diving team during his senior year. Burke graduated from Purdue University in 1973 with a degree in industrial management and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honor society. He then proceeded to a earn a master's degree in industrial relations from Purdue in 1975 and a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1980.
Camille Cooper, Women's Basketball, 1998-2001
Camille Cooper was a standout member of the 1999 NCAA Championship team and the 2001 NCAA Runner-Up squad. In her senior year, Cooper was a finalist for NCAA Women of the Year, earned First Team Academic All-America recognition from CoSIDA and was named an All-America Honorable Mention by the Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association. A four-year letterwinner from 1998-2001, Cooper added NCAA Regional All-Tournament recognition to her résumé in 1999 and 2001. Cooper helped lead the Boilermakers to three straight Big Ten Tournament titles from 1998-2000, and brought in three All-Big Ten awards for herself. She also earned three Academic All-Big Ten honors and was named Purdue's Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient in 2001. Cooper currently ranks 13th in school history with 1,575 career points; eighth all-time in rebounding (760), fourth in career blocked shots (195), ninth in double-doubles (14) and second in games played (137).
Joe Corso, Wrestling, 1974-76
Joe Corso contributed significantly to the success of both the Purdue and United States wrestling teams during his career. Corso was a two-year letterwinner (1974-75), competing at both 118 and 126 pounds. His senior season, in which he served as team captain, finished with an impressive record of 42-7. Corso won the 1975 Big Ten title at 126 pounds and was named the Big Ten Tournament's Outstanding Wrestler. Later that same year, Corso earned All-America status by placing third at the 1975 NCAA Championships. He went on to represent the United States at the 1976 Olympics Games in Montreal. He continued with a third-place World Championships finish and title at the Pan-Am Games in 1979. His work in wrestling continued as a coach, both at Purdue as an assistant coach and then in freestyle with USA Wrestling, earning the first-ever Women's Coach of the Year award in 2002.
Walter Jordan, Men's Basketball, 1975-78
Walter Jordan holds special status in Purdue Men's Basketball history as one-of-four Boilermakers with at least 1,800 points and 800 rebounds alongside Joe Barry Carroll, Terry Dischinger and JaJuan Johnson. To this day, he still ranks ninth in career scoring at 1,813 points, 11th in scoring average at 16.6 points per game and is fourth in career rebounds at 882. Jordan started 102 consecutive games, which is the third-longest streak in school history. During those games, he averaged 33 minutes per game and recorded 27 career double-doubles, which ranks 11th in Purdue's record book. Jordan's 394 points as a freshman in 1974-75 rank third-most in Purdue history, while his 14.1 scoring average ranks second. In the 1978 NBA Draft, Jordan was selected in the fourth round by the New Jersey Nets.
Darlene (Warta) Renie, Women's Swimming & Diving, 1987-90
Darlene Renie is held in high regard for her impressive Purdue career, long-time coaching career, and continued dedication to the Purdue Swimming & Diving programs. Renie was a four-year letterwinner (1987-90), and qualified for the NCAA Championships three times in the 200 butterfly (1988, 1989, 1990), as well as the 100 butterfly in 1988. In addition, Renie earned All-Big Ten Conference accolades in 1988 and 1990, as well as All-America status in 1989 and 1990 for the 200 fly (with an honorable mention for the 400 medley relay). In both 1988 and 1990, Renie claimed the Big Ten Championship title in the 200 fly. She was the first Purdue woman to break the two-minute barrier in the event, and her time still ranks ninth overall in program history. Renie graduated as a school record holder in both the 100 and 200 fly. Seven years later, Renie returned to Purdue Swimming & Diving as the women's assistant coach (1997-2011). Since 2011, she has served as the director of operations for both teams at the aquatic center.
Stuart Schweigert, Football, 2000-03
Stuart Schweigert boasted a stellar football career as both a Boilermaker and professional player. Schweigert was a four-year letterwinner (2000-03), earned First Team All-Big Ten Conference recognition in both 2001 and 2003, as well as Second Team All-America honors in 2003. He was named the 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and set Purdue's career interception record of 17, shattering the previous mark of 11. Schweigert led the team in tackles during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and ranked third as a junior and senior. In each of Schweigert's last three years, he finished as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He finished his storied career with 360 tackles (second all-time among Boilermaker defensive backs and ninth overall), 18 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. After his collegiate career, Schweigert was selected in the third round (67th pick) of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.
Lauren Sesselmann, Soccer, 2001-05
Lauren Sesselmann was a four-year letterwinner (2001-03, 05) and achieved First Team All-Big Ten Conference status in 2003 and 2005. She helped lead Purdue to four 10-win seasons, three NCAA Tournament berths and a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2003 -- the same year she became the first Boilermaker to score 10 goals. In her four active seasons, Purdue's record totaled 48-24-12. She graduated as the school record holder in goals (34), assists (22), points (90), game-winning goals (13), shots on goal (124) and multi-goal games (7). To this day, Sesselmann still ranks Top 3 in program history in goals, assists and points, with her point record standing until 2017. She continued her success with Team Canada, winning gold at the 2011 Pan American Games and earning bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games. She also played in the 2015 World Cup. Sesselmann has also played in various professional leagues, including the NWSL, W-League and WPS.
Alex Yunevich, Football, 1929-31*
An All-Big Ten Conference fullback on Purdue's unbeaten conference championship team of 1929, Alex Yunevich was known as one of "four riveters" of the first Boilermaker team to win a Big Ten championship in football. He was a three-year letterwinner at fullback (1929-31) who bruised his way to 322 yards on 77 carries for an average rush of 4.2 yards during the league title campaign. Yunevich went on to have an outstanding 39-year coaching career at Central State Teachers College (now Central Michigan University) for three years and Alfred University in New York for 36 years before retiring in 1976 with a combined record of 186-98-13, including six undefeated seasons. He was named Small College Coach of the Year in 1956 and again in 1971. Yunevich has also been nominated for the College Football Hall of Fame.
*Posthumously inducted