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IllustrateD volume 24, issue 5 3 f f r o m p u b l i s h e r a l a n k a r p i c k It's All About Connection E very picture tells a story. The one below is no different. In reality, it is Coach Darrell Hazell offering support to cancer survivor and Purdue Challenge participant John Dues at the beginning of the race on April 12. But the image is also repre- sentative of what challenge is ahead for Hazell and Co. in returning the program to some level of relevancy in the near future. Somehow the coach has to bond with his Purdue constituency of alums, fans and players. If you ask anyone who has spent time with Hazell, the answer that almost always comes back is "he couldn't be better." I've seen firsthand his ability to connect with people with those la- ser-beam eyes of his. His role with the Purdue Challenge 5K is just one small way the coach has made a strong con- nection to a project that is bigger than life, bigger than football. Hazell will never be accused of being verbose, but if you are one-on-one with him, you learn quickly he is empathetic to those in the room and not just solely concerned about what you can do to help ad- vance his mission. That is a somewhat rare, but critical quality, of a person in his position. That's why when editor Brian Neu- bert came up with the working cover title "Comfort Zone" for this issue, it is probably the two words that best de- scribe where the program is, and what spring ball was all about. Gone is the rush-rush of the first season when Ha- zell had little or no time to get to really know and forge a relationship with his players. And despite last year's forgettable record, it is now possible to sense that things are trending in a more positive direction. Our staff, at practice every available day, says the team seems more comfortable with those who are leading it. Whether it's a function of familiarity — or a bridge truly being built — we will begin to find out in late August. On the recruiting trail, the caliber of Gold and Black Illustrated A publication of Boilers, Inc. 2605 Yeager Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 765-237-5002 or 1-800-876-GOPU (4678) Fax: 765-497-2110/Twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom President/Publisher Alan Karpick 765-237-5078 AKarpick@GoldandBlack.com Twitter.com/AlanKarpick Editor Brian Neubert BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com Publications Coordinator Kyle Charters KCharters@GoldandBlack.com Associate Editor/Football Stacy Clardie SClardie@GoldandBlack.com Photography/Cover Photo Tom Campbell Graphic Designer Gary A. Hoffman Advertising Sales Alan Karpick Contributor Mark Montieth Subscriptions/Production Nick Hoffman, Reid Karpick, Tyler Ochs, Michael Schmierer, Evan Solgere, Mike Viehmann GnbManager@aol.com Printer J.B. Kenehan Printing (Beaver Dam, Wis.) Volume 24, Issue 5 • Mailed April 30, 2014 Gold and Black Illustrated is published to be delivered by mail every other month (bi-monthly) in late August, October, December, February, April and June. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, Ind., and additional offices. Known office of publication is 2605 Yeager Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906. GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED (USPS 010-447). Subscription rates: $57.95 ($62.05 for Indiana subscribers). Foreign rates: Available upon request. POSTMASTER: Send change of address form to: Gold and Black Illustrated, 2605 Yeager Road West Lafayette, IN 47906. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. All letters to Gold and Black Illustrated will be treated as intended for publication and are subject to Gold and Black Illustrated's right to edit and comment editorially. The Boilers, Inc. officer, shareholder, staff and contrib- utors are not and never have been sanctioned by Purdue University. The views expressed do not represent those of Purdue University or its employees. ON THE COVER Coach Darrell Hazell offers up a few pointers to quar- terback Danny Etling during the spring game. Hazell spent much of the contest in observation mode, letting his assistants do the direct teaching, but in certain situations he was front and center with his players. Photo by Tom Campbell. Gerry Robinos