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68 ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 f outside the system, I suspect college athletics in the fore- seeable future will look a lot like it does today, only more so. "I do not think that is really in keeping that great tra- dition of college athletics, and I think it would be an even better experience for students and for fans if we could get back to a genuine student-athlete system, but unless it is externally enforced, we probably won't." Like anyone who visited Ross-Ade Stadium this fall, Daniels noticed the small crowds. It was recently reported by CBSSports.com that Purdue's attendance experienced the biggest drop (28 percent) of Power Five schools. While he understands that attendance figures are trending down in just about all areas of sport, he doesn't like the impact that smaller crowds are having on the experience of at- tending home games at Purdue, especially for students. He also knows that winning is part, but not all of, the answer. "You have to be able to have a really great product to compete with big screen, high definition and the comfort of your alternatives at home," Daniels said. "I do think it is interesting and noteworthy that students are showing less interest. I think that to some extent says there are some defects in the quality of the game itself. Athletics has be- come so divorced, I am sad to say, from the rest of student life and maybe that is a part of it. "Morgan Burke and our folks are looking hard at pricing and promotions and ways to try and make certain that our freshmen experience the fun of Saturdays in Ross-Ade so maybe that they come back as upperclassmen. If anybody had a magic answer to this, we would have it by now." Despite the struggles at the gate, Daniels couldn't be more behind Darrell Hazell, despite his tough start after two seasons. Daniels believes the Boilermaker coach does things the right way. "I think Darrell Hazell is one of the greatest people I've met," Daniels said. "I have told presidents of other schools, 'When we are not playing you, you should root for our foot- ball team because college athletics with all the problems it has, college athletics needs people like Darrell Hazell to succeed.' "The character he has, the role model he is. And I think he is going to succeed. I just have been so impressed with him from the get-go and I am his biggest booster." And despite the way the season ended for the Boiler- makers, it is hard to imagine a bigger endorsement from a college president for his coach. j Tom Campbell The Boilermaker president enjoys being present in Ross-Ade Stadium and frequents the student section most games for the "Where's Mitch?" segment that plays on the video board.