GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 6 33
Charles Jischke /Purdue Athletics
Kirk Barron's happy-go-lucky demeanor off the field
has him well-liked by teammates, especially because
"I probably poke more fun at myself than anything,"
Barron said. "If you can't have fun with what you're
doing, why are you doing it? I just like to have fun. I
don't know how else to put it."
Senior's personality strikes 'perfect balance'
BY STACY CLARDIE
SClardie@GoldandBlack.com
T
he ideas kept flowing.
What about recreating scenes from Chris
Farley skits?
What about wearing kids' clothing?
What about donning the shirt — already owned —
that says "The Body," a nickname bestowed about five
years ago that has been willingly embraced?
Or, better yet, what about recreating a newspaper
photograph from years ago, when former Boilermaker
offensive linemen, including Matt Light and Chukky
Okobi, were featured in shoulder pads … and Speed-
os?
Kirk Barron was actively involved — and seemed
up for anything — heading into a recent photo shoot.
Not surprising, considering Barron certainly is his
own unique man. Teammates called the 23-year-old a
"character," "goofy," "a child, deep down," and, even,
"ridiculous," said in as much of a loving way that can
be.
"You can just tell he enjoys life, just by the way he
interacts with people. He's just having fun, joking,"
said good buddy David Blough, who will live with Bar-
ron again in their final season, the second time for
that arrangement after the two were together for a
year-plus in Cary Quad.
"He's always kind of goofy. I like that about him.
He'll make fun of people or call somebody out, but at
