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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 27 • 13 2017, but Burke is only evaluating options in that area, he said. Short Looking For Big '14 Kawann Short's soon to start Year 2 of his NFL career, hoping that it can be better than the first. That won't be easy, either from a team or individual per- spective. A second-round draft pick a year ago, Short had 30 tack- les, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, helping Carolina to a 12-4 record, an NFC South Division champion- ship and into the playoffs. "It was good," the defensive tackle said of the 2014 season. "When you start winning, the coaches ease up a bit more and it makes us play even harder. It's a job now and everybody is deter- mined to win." Short was one more than 50 former Boilermakers in atten- dance for Saturday's spring game, but the only that's still active in the NFL. He, along with former profes- sionals Bob Griese, Mike Alstott and Rosevelt Colvin, participated in a cook off prior to kickoff. But Short's spring is only just beginning. Later this month, the Panthers hold their first Organized Team Activities. It's the start of a season full of high hopes for Caro- lina, which returns much of what was the league's No. 2 defense in 2013. "All the guys are back, aside from some of the second- ary," Short said. "But we have to keep it rolling. The whole defensive line is back. I feel like we can do a lot of good things." We'll have more from Short in the May/June glossy edition of Gold and Black Illustrated. ruFoLo impartS WiSdom For its pregame speech, Purdue brought in a former Boil- ermaker whose biggest successes have come on a different field. Former Boilermaker Sean Rufolo (1997-2002) is a highly decorated Army Airborne Ranger who served 39 months in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ru- folo says he joined the Army in 2003 because he wanted to be part of something bigger, similar to when he played for the Boil- ermakers. The Army, he says, of- fered another group who came together for a greater cause, and it wanted to work hard and win. "I've asked myself this often — and I've done research — why do soldiers fight? Is it for their country? Is it for their family? Is it for themselves? And I ask myself, why do players play football? Is it for the fans? Is it for the school? Is it for ourselves?" Rufolo said in front of current players and former inside Mollenkopf Athletic Facility on Saturday morning. "I know why sol- diers fight. We're pa- triotic. I love my coun- try and I fight for my country. And I love my family and fight for my family. But on a moun- taintop in Afghanistan, when you're carrying 150 pounds on your back and it's 125 de- grees and you feel like a mule, why do you really fight? You fight for your buddy, the person sitting next to you in the room. "It's the same in football." Watch Rufolo's full speech in the video below. 'ChaLLenge' a SuCCeSS Purdue's Challenge 5K Run/ Walk raised $65,000 for cancer research and had over 1,700 par- ticipants. The funds directly benefit the Purdue Center for Cancer Re- search. Since it started in 2008, the Purdue Challenge has raised over $425,000. Hazell was the event's chair for the second consecutive year. He gave a inspiring talk before the event in addition to starting the race by banging on the Big Bass Drum to start the race. A pair of West Lafayette resi- dents won the races. j Tom Campbell Kawann Short, who recently completed his rookie season for the Carolina Panthers, was among many alumni back for the spring game. He competed in a "cook off " contest before the game with Bob Griese, Mike Alstott and Rosevelt Colvin. Alstott won. remaining 2013-14 puB SCheduLe Gold and Black Illustrated May-June Issue Mails April 30 Gold and Black Express Posts May 23 Dates subject to change.