FULL CLASS OF 2022 | HALL OF FAME HOMEPAGE
For Stuart Schweigert, Purdue is home. It has been since the Saginaw, Michigan, native decided to play football for the Boilermakers at the turn of the 21st century. Two decades after putting on the Old Gold & Black jersey for the last time, the legendary Boilermaker is getting inducted into the Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame, joining seven others as part of the 2022 class.
As he sits in his basement surrounded by Purdue memorabilia collected throughout his decorated career, he reflects on the past and what Purdue means to him.
"I met my wife here. Had I not come down to Purdue, I wouldn't have my kids," said Schweigert.
How exactly did Schweigert arrive in West Lafayette, especially with Lloyd Carr (Michigan) and Nick Saban (Michigan State) recruiting him in his backyard? He played quarterback and safety in high school, rated as one of the top athletes in the state of Michigan. Maybe it was the unique personality of legendary head coach Joe Tiller during a home visit.
"Coach Tiller is sitting in my living room," said Schweigert. "We're all talking to one another, but he's just sitting there staring at me. He just kept looking and finally goes, 'Stu, you've got a big nose. I don't know if we have a helmet to fit that nose of yours.' I was so shocked, I didn't know what to say."
Schweigert was drawn to Tiller and his coaching staff, picturing himself in a Purdue uniform while watching film on a visit to campus. The kid from Michigan wanted to be a Boilermaker.
"It felt like a family environment, and it also seemed fun," he said.
Schweigert made an immediate impact at Purdue, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and helping the Boilermakers win a conference championship with a berth to the Rose Bowl.
"Growing up as a kid, going to the Rose Bowl is what you dream of," said Schweigert.
One memorable victory from that 2000 season was a comeback win over No. 6 Michigan at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers found themselves down 28-10 at the half. That's when a pair of future Super Bowl champions, Drew Brees and Matt Light, took it upon themselves to get the team back on the right track.
"I don't even think the coaches came in. Drew said 'it's okay Coach, we've got this.' Then they gathered us around, Drew said something, Matt said something. That leadership gave us a confidence I really can't explain. It became 'okay we're going to go out and win this game.' And we did."
The 32-31 victory was the first of four straight victories, and Purdue won five of the last six to clinch its first Big Ten title since 1967.
Schweigert earned First Team All-Big Ten Conference recognition in both 2001 and 2003, as well as Second Team All-America honors in 2003. He led the team in tackles during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and ranked third as a junior and senior to finish his career with 360 tackles (second all-time among Boilermaker defensive backs and ninth overall). In each of Schweigert's last three years, he finished as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. The four-year letterwinner hauled in 17 interceptions, the most ever by a Boilermaker which shattered the previous mark of 11. It was an incredible college career for the defensive back that wore No. 9 and the Motion P helmet with pride.
He still credits his coaches for his success, especially Ken Green, his defensive backs coach. When Tiller passed away just months shy of his 75th birthday, Schweigert went out to Wyoming to be a pallbearer at his funeral.
"I wish he was still with us," said Schweigert. "I miss him."
Following a five-year career in the NFL, including four with the Oakland Raiders who selected him in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Schweigert eventually decided to move back to West Lafayette. Purdue was home, and that's where he wanted to be to raise his family.
"The community is the university, and the university is the community," Schweigert said. "When we moved back, I was amazed at how much Purdue meant to people of this community."
Now, Schweigert attends Purdue athletic events, and his children wear his No. 9 jersey to football games. Fan recognize him, some chanting "Stuuuuu" just like the old days. It is only fitting that the school's career interceptions leader is remembered and beloved. Now, Schweigert becomes enshrined in the school's hall of fame, cementing his legacy. It's a special honor, one he doesn't take lightly.
"Being in this class with Morgan Burke, it means a lot," said Schweigert. "He brought Coach Tiller here, and Tiller is the reason I came here."
He joins Purdue greats like Lauren Sesselmann, two Boilermakers who were friends during their time on campus, as well as Walker Jordan, who has become a new friend following the induction announcement.
"I connected with Walter Jordan when it was announced, and we talked on the phone for three hours," said Schweigert. "It (the hall of fame) becomes a brotherhood, and we connected right away. All because of Purdue."
It meant even more to Schweigert that he was going into a hall of fame named after Keyes, one of the greatest Boilermakers of all-time.
"He was such a great ambassador for Purdue," said Schweigert, regarding the late Keyes. "As much as I bleed Old Gold and Black, I don't know if there is anyone that bled it more than him. He would have done anything for this university."
Schweigert and the rest of the hall of fame class will be publicly honored at Mackey Arena during the Purdue Men's Basketball game vs. Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 19. The game, like all other Purdue Men's Basketball games this season, is sold out, and the Purdue faithful will have another opportunity to show appreciation for the legendary Boilermakers.
"Purdue is a very unique and prideful university," said Schweigert. "It's truly one big family."
By Adam Kuffner, Director of Strategic Communications - Purdue Athletics
For Stuart Schweigert, Purdue is home. It has been since the Saginaw, Michigan, native decided to play football for the Boilermakers at the turn of the 21st century. Two decades after putting on the Old Gold & Black jersey for the last time, the legendary Boilermaker is getting inducted into the Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame, joining seven others as part of the 2022 class.
As he sits in his basement surrounded by Purdue memorabilia collected throughout his decorated career, he reflects on the past and what Purdue means to him.
"I met my wife here. Had I not come down to Purdue, I wouldn't have my kids," said Schweigert.
How exactly did Schweigert arrive in West Lafayette, especially with Lloyd Carr (Michigan) and Nick Saban (Michigan State) recruiting him in his backyard? He played quarterback and safety in high school, rated as one of the top athletes in the state of Michigan. Maybe it was the unique personality of legendary head coach Joe Tiller during a home visit.
"Coach Tiller is sitting in my living room," said Schweigert. "We're all talking to one another, but he's just sitting there staring at me. He just kept looking and finally goes, 'Stu, you've got a big nose. I don't know if we have a helmet to fit that nose of yours.' I was so shocked, I didn't know what to say."
Schweigert was drawn to Tiller and his coaching staff, picturing himself in a Purdue uniform while watching film on a visit to campus. The kid from Michigan wanted to be a Boilermaker.
"It felt like a family environment, and it also seemed fun," he said.
Schweigert made an immediate impact at Purdue, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and helping the Boilermakers win a conference championship with a berth to the Rose Bowl.
"Growing up as a kid, going to the Rose Bowl is what you dream of," said Schweigert.
One memorable victory from that 2000 season was a comeback win over No. 6 Michigan at Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers found themselves down 28-10 at the half. That's when a pair of future Super Bowl champions, Drew Brees and Matt Light, took it upon themselves to get the team back on the right track.
"I don't even think the coaches came in. Drew said 'it's okay Coach, we've got this.' Then they gathered us around, Drew said something, Matt said something. That leadership gave us a confidence I really can't explain. It became 'okay we're going to go out and win this game.' And we did."
The 32-31 victory was the first of four straight victories, and Purdue won five of the last six to clinch its first Big Ten title since 1967.
Schweigert earned First Team All-Big Ten Conference recognition in both 2001 and 2003, as well as Second Team All-America honors in 2003. He led the team in tackles during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and ranked third as a junior and senior to finish his career with 360 tackles (second all-time among Boilermaker defensive backs and ninth overall). In each of Schweigert's last three years, he finished as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. The four-year letterwinner hauled in 17 interceptions, the most ever by a Boilermaker which shattered the previous mark of 11. It was an incredible college career for the defensive back that wore No. 9 and the Motion P helmet with pride.
He still credits his coaches for his success, especially Ken Green, his defensive backs coach. When Tiller passed away just months shy of his 75th birthday, Schweigert went out to Wyoming to be a pallbearer at his funeral.
"I wish he was still with us," said Schweigert. "I miss him."
Following a five-year career in the NFL, including four with the Oakland Raiders who selected him in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Schweigert eventually decided to move back to West Lafayette. Purdue was home, and that's where he wanted to be to raise his family.
"The community is the university, and the university is the community," Schweigert said. "When we moved back, I was amazed at how much Purdue meant to people of this community."
Now, Schweigert attends Purdue athletic events, and his children wear his No. 9 jersey to football games. Fan recognize him, some chanting "Stuuuuu" just like the old days. It is only fitting that the school's career interceptions leader is remembered and beloved. Now, Schweigert becomes enshrined in the school's hall of fame, cementing his legacy. It's a special honor, one he doesn't take lightly.
"Being in this class with Morgan Burke, it means a lot," said Schweigert. "He brought Coach Tiller here, and Tiller is the reason I came here."
He joins Purdue greats like Lauren Sesselmann, two Boilermakers who were friends during their time on campus, as well as Walker Jordan, who has become a new friend following the induction announcement.
"I connected with Walter Jordan when it was announced, and we talked on the phone for three hours," said Schweigert. "It (the hall of fame) becomes a brotherhood, and we connected right away. All because of Purdue."
It meant even more to Schweigert that he was going into a hall of fame named after Keyes, one of the greatest Boilermakers of all-time.
"He was such a great ambassador for Purdue," said Schweigert, regarding the late Keyes. "As much as I bleed Old Gold and Black, I don't know if there is anyone that bled it more than him. He would have done anything for this university."
Schweigert and the rest of the hall of fame class will be publicly honored at Mackey Arena during the Purdue Men's Basketball game vs. Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 19. The game, like all other Purdue Men's Basketball games this season, is sold out, and the Purdue faithful will have another opportunity to show appreciation for the legendary Boilermakers.
"Purdue is a very unique and prideful university," said Schweigert. "It's truly one big family."
By Adam Kuffner, Director of Strategic Communications - Purdue Athletics