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Tom Campbell Alexander Field had its dedication weekend in mid-April, officially opening the baseball team's new multi-million-dollar home. weren't going to complain. Al- the Big Ten, was a fitting home exander Field, Purdue's new for the reigning conference ballpark and one of the finest in champions. And although Purdue's struggles on the field Gold & Black Illustrated is a publication of Boilers, Inc. 2605 Yeager Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 — the young Boilermak765-237-5002 or 1-800-876-GOPU (4678) ers won only 17 games, Twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom Fax: 765-497-2110 including a 5-14 mark at President/Publisher Alan Karpick home, after winning a pro765-237-5078 Twitter.com/AlanKarpick gram-best 45 in '12 — and AKarpick@GoldandBlack.com poor spring weather often Editor Brian Neubert BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com made watching difficult for P ublications Coordinator Kyle Charters spectators, the new park KCharters@GoldandBlack.com Staff Writer Stacy Clardie was still deemed an over SClardie@GoldandBlack.com whelming success. P hotography/Cover Photo Tom Campbell Graphic Designer Gary Hoffman "Every person who Advertising Sales Alan Karpick comes there has terrific Subscriptions/Production: Evan Burlingame, Alex Posthauer, Mike Rish, Evan Solgere, remarks about the facili Tyler Ochs ties and they go on and Subscriptions@GoldandBlack.com on about what a great venue it is, great sightlines, good sound systems, a great atmosphere at the games," said Steve Simmerman, Purdue's associate athletic director for facilities. "We've just been really, really satisfied and really happy with the end result out there. We think it's one of the more exciting facilities in the Big Ten now." Players, coaches and fans, both of the home team and away, all seem to agree. Season ticket sales were up dramatically, with attendance often more than 1,000 per game. A large concourse, club, box and bleacher seating, a grass berm and other amenities made it easy for fans. And players certainly like the clubhouse, indoor hitting bays, large dugouts and the rest. It certainly beat old Lambert Field, which had a better-thanaverage playing surface but few other highlights. "It was one of the bigger reasons why I decided to come here," JUCO transfer Connor Hudnall said of Alexander. "From what they did last year, it was pretty awesome to see that, and then this new field, it's hard to turn that down." — Kyle Charters No. 7 Fight Of A Lifetime 3 stomach cancer. The chemo sapped her of her usual vigor, but didn't keep her completely away from the Boilermakers, either. She attended home games, becoming an inspirational leader for the team, and some on the road, as well, when she was feeling well enough. Kix was at the Big Ten Tournament in March, giving Purdue an extra boost as it marched through for a victory, its second championship in as many years. "Since I've been here, every year we've been playing for something bigger than ourselves," Courtney Moses said. "Last year, obviously we were Terry Kix spent her 2012-13 season fighting not for wins on a court, but for her life off of it. And after a battle with stomach cancer, which required weeks of chemotherapy and surgery, the director of women's basketball operations appears to be on the road to recovery. "Great news, 100 percent treatment response, no cancer cells anywhere!" she texted in mid-April, while at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where she had a third of her stomach removed. "Of 10,000 cases this surgeon has performed I am one of only 5 people who had a 100 percent response. Thank you everyone! Love you!" Kix endured quite the battle. Feeling ill near Thanksgiving last fall, she went to the hospital, disTom Campbell covering she Terry Kix battled through cancer for much of the season, but still attendwas suffering ed games as often as she could, and spurred the Boilers late in the year. from Stage GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 30 • 3