2021 / AS A JUNIOR
• Academic All-Big Ten
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in two games, starting the Sunday win vs. Hofstra to close out the season-opening weekend
• Worked three innings of one-run ball vs. Hofstra, departing with Purdue leading 6-1
• Struck out four while surrendering only one walk and one extra-base hit in his season debut
• Also pitched in relief in the March 4 midweek game at Indiana, ending a 16-day layoff
2019 / AS A FRESHMAN
• Pitched in 13 games, making six starts
• Started the rubber game at Rutgers for his first Big Ten action
• Also made midweek starts vs. Bowling Green, Valparaiso, Indiana State, Indiana and Xavier
• Struck out a season-high six over 3 1/3 innings at Indiana, helping Purdue break the program record with 18 Ks that night
• Compiled a 2.55 ERA and 15 Ks vs. 7 walks over 17 2/3 innings at Alexander Field
• Worked three innings of scoreless relief in the home win vs. Ball State
• Was not charged with an earned run over two innings of relief vs. Valpo, Xavier and Ohio State
• Did not give up a hit over two innings of relief against Michigan State
• Made his collegiate debut in the middle game of the season-opening series at Southern Miss, striking out three over two innings of one-hit relief
• Overcame a shoulder injury that sidelined him for about a month early in the season
HIGH SCHOOL
• Three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Robin Renner at Neuqua Valley High School in suburban Chicago
• DuPage Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year as a senior
• Finished his prep career 22-5 with 212 strikeouts
• Had a 6-1 record with a 0.81 ERA as a senior
• Two-time all-conference performer as an upperclassman; honorable mention as a sophomore
• Went 9-2 with a 1.60 ERA as a junior, 7-2 with a 1.39 ERA as a sophomore
• Academic all-conference as a senior
• Helped Neuqua win three straight regional titles plus a sectional crown in 2017 when his team went 35-2-1
• Top-100 ranked player nationally for his age group
PERSONAL
• Major: Financial Counseling & Planning
• Full name is James Phillip Kulak
• Born in Winfield, Illinois
• Parents are Phillip and Susan Kulak
• Family also includes siblings Marissa and Nick
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago White Sox
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Chicago Cubs
Favorite Ballplayer: Chris Sale
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Phillip Kulak, Father
Favorite Playoff Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): University of Kentucky
Favorite Pro Stadium: Fenway Park
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Ben Nisle
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Albert Pujols
Pro Athlete He’d Like to Meet: Frank Thomas
YouTube Channel He Enjoys: Rick Shiels Golf
Favorite Stand-Up Comedian: Dave Chappelle
In His Favorite Playlist: Travis Scott
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Favorite Actor & Actress: Mark Wahlberg & Jennifer Aniston
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Arrow
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Game of Thrones
Favorite Video Game: Counter-Strike
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Bo Hofstra as a Unicorn
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Meal: Steak with Mashed Potatoes
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Country He’d Like to Visit: France
Furry Friend: Bella, Miniature Schnauzer
• Academic All-Big Ten
2020 / AS A SOPHOMORE (ABBREVIATED SEASON)
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Pitched in two games, starting the Sunday win vs. Hofstra to close out the season-opening weekend
• Worked three innings of one-run ball vs. Hofstra, departing with Purdue leading 6-1
• Struck out four while surrendering only one walk and one extra-base hit in his season debut
• Also pitched in relief in the March 4 midweek game at Indiana, ending a 16-day layoff
2019 / AS A FRESHMAN
• Pitched in 13 games, making six starts
• Started the rubber game at Rutgers for his first Big Ten action
• Also made midweek starts vs. Bowling Green, Valparaiso, Indiana State, Indiana and Xavier
• Struck out a season-high six over 3 1/3 innings at Indiana, helping Purdue break the program record with 18 Ks that night
• Compiled a 2.55 ERA and 15 Ks vs. 7 walks over 17 2/3 innings at Alexander Field
• Worked three innings of scoreless relief in the home win vs. Ball State
• Was not charged with an earned run over two innings of relief vs. Valpo, Xavier and Ohio State
• Did not give up a hit over two innings of relief against Michigan State
• Made his collegiate debut in the middle game of the season-opening series at Southern Miss, striking out three over two innings of one-hit relief
• Overcame a shoulder injury that sidelined him for about a month early in the season
HIGH SCHOOL
• Three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Robin Renner at Neuqua Valley High School in suburban Chicago
• DuPage Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year as a senior
• Finished his prep career 22-5 with 212 strikeouts
• Had a 6-1 record with a 0.81 ERA as a senior
• Two-time all-conference performer as an upperclassman; honorable mention as a sophomore
• Went 9-2 with a 1.60 ERA as a junior, 7-2 with a 1.39 ERA as a sophomore
• Academic all-conference as a senior
• Helped Neuqua win three straight regional titles plus a sectional crown in 2017 when his team went 35-2-1
• Top-100 ranked player nationally for his age group
PERSONAL
• Major: Financial Counseling & Planning
• Full name is James Phillip Kulak
• Born in Winfield, Illinois
• Parents are Phillip and Susan Kulak
• Family also includes siblings Marissa and Nick
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago White Sox
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Chicago Cubs
Favorite Ballplayer: Chris Sale
Had the Biggest Impact on His Athletic Career: Phillip Kulak, Father
Favorite Playoff Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Field He’s Played at (Besides Alexander): University of Kentucky
Favorite Pro Stadium: Fenway Park
Toughest Hitter for Him to Face Among Teammates: Ben Nisle
Current MLB Hitter He’d Like to Face: Albert Pujols
Pro Athlete He’d Like to Meet: Frank Thomas
YouTube Channel He Enjoys: Rick Shiels Golf
Favorite Stand-Up Comedian: Dave Chappelle
In His Favorite Playlist: Travis Scott
Favorite Multi-Media App: Twitter
Favorite Actor & Actress: Mark Wahlberg & Jennifer Aniston
Favorite Sci-Fi Series: Arrow
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Game of Thrones
Favorite Video Game: Counter-Strike
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Bo Hofstra as a Unicorn
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Meal: Steak with Mashed Potatoes
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Country He’d Like to Visit: France
Furry Friend: Bella, Miniature Schnauzer