WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A member of the Leroy Keyes Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Kevin Plawecki will be officially inducted on Friday.
Plawecki is a three-time letterwinner for Purdue Baseball (2010-12).
As a catcher, he was named the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year and Co-MVP of the 2012 team that won Purdue's first Big Ten title since 1909, as well as the conference tournament crown.
Plawecki was a finalist for the 2012 Johnny Bench Award and earned Second Team All-America honors. He still ranks in the top 10 in various program single-season record lists, including hits, runs, doubles, total bases and being hit by pitch.
After his time at Purdue, Plawecki was selected 35th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, and he later made his Major League debut in 2015.
He has spent eight seasons with the Mets, Cleveland Guardians, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.
Q: How would you describe your approach to your athletic and academic pursuits during your time at Purdue?
Plawecki: From a young age, all I remember is watching Purdue sports. Both of my parents went to Purdue, so our Saturdays were filled with Boilermaker football. Growing up watching Drew Brees in football, Brian Cardinal in basketball, all I ever thought about doing was being a Boilermaker. On top of the athletics, I knew how well-regarded and great the schooling is there. I'll be forever grateful for all that I learned through sports and through my education at Purdue.
Q: What did you learn during your time at Purdue that has been the most valuable for you?
Plawecki: Responsibility and communication. My teammates and coaches allowed me to be myself as well as hold me accountable. I didn't do anything on my own. It was a collective group of friendships that allowed us to be so great.
Q: What advice would you give current student-athletes that you wish someone had given you during your time at Purdue?
Plawecki: Just to take in all the early morning workouts, late night studies. Enjoy the grind because it's all worth it and goes by fast!
Q: What is your favorite Purdue Athletics memory?
Plawecki: Meeting my now wife in Owen Hall my freshman year. She was a soccer player who played all 4 years, and now my wife and mother to our three beautiful kids. Winning the Big Ten Championship and Big Ten Tournament in 2012 was pretty cool, too!
Q: Did you have a favorite coach, trainer, or administrator?
Plawecki: All of them! Doug Schreiber, Jeff Duncan and trainer Casey Kohr to name a few.
Plawecki is a three-time letterwinner for Purdue Baseball (2010-12).
As a catcher, he was named the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year and Co-MVP of the 2012 team that won Purdue's first Big Ten title since 1909, as well as the conference tournament crown.
Plawecki was a finalist for the 2012 Johnny Bench Award and earned Second Team All-America honors. He still ranks in the top 10 in various program single-season record lists, including hits, runs, doubles, total bases and being hit by pitch.
After his time at Purdue, Plawecki was selected 35th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft by the New York Mets, and he later made his Major League debut in 2015.
He has spent eight seasons with the Mets, Cleveland Guardians, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers.
Q: How would you describe your approach to your athletic and academic pursuits during your time at Purdue?
Plawecki: From a young age, all I remember is watching Purdue sports. Both of my parents went to Purdue, so our Saturdays were filled with Boilermaker football. Growing up watching Drew Brees in football, Brian Cardinal in basketball, all I ever thought about doing was being a Boilermaker. On top of the athletics, I knew how well-regarded and great the schooling is there. I'll be forever grateful for all that I learned through sports and through my education at Purdue.
Q: What did you learn during your time at Purdue that has been the most valuable for you?
Plawecki: Responsibility and communication. My teammates and coaches allowed me to be myself as well as hold me accountable. I didn't do anything on my own. It was a collective group of friendships that allowed us to be so great.
Q: What advice would you give current student-athletes that you wish someone had given you during your time at Purdue?
Plawecki: Just to take in all the early morning workouts, late night studies. Enjoy the grind because it's all worth it and goes by fast!
Q: What is your favorite Purdue Athletics memory?
Plawecki: Meeting my now wife in Owen Hall my freshman year. She was a soccer player who played all 4 years, and now my wife and mother to our three beautiful kids. Winning the Big Ten Championship and Big Ten Tournament in 2012 was pretty cool, too!
Q: Did you have a favorite coach, trainer, or administrator?
Plawecki: All of them! Doug Schreiber, Jeff Duncan and trainer Casey Kohr to name a few.