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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 17 • 8 "He's only 21, but to tell you the truth, I don't think of it that way," Me- drano said. "Because to me, he's just like a 30-year-old man. I really can't think about his age or treat him any differently, because I don't look at him as being like a typical 21-year- old. I can't wrap my head around that. I treat him like I would anyone else in the business world, with respect." As he should. Toyra has plenty of responsibility. He puts in 20 hours a week of prac- tice time with the Boilermakers, plus games, travel, other workouts and lifting, a total time commitment that could easily rival any full work week. And then on top of that, there's be- ing a full-time student, too, and now a job, as well. "A lot of basketball in-season is a full-time job," Toyra said. "… It's not negotiable. I'm not missing practice to do any of this. And it's the same GAINING CLEARANCE For a moment, Stephen Toyra was going to be known only as "Stephen" in the local business world. The NCAA had banned the student-athlete from using his full name and likeness for his business venture, Family Realty Groups, granting him only the ability to use his first name and a phone num- ber for publicity. "I was like, 'Hey, I'm at a real disadvantage,' just from a business side that I can't (use my face and name)," said Toyra, a junior for the Boilermakers. "So that was our case to the NCAA. Obviously that I'm a basketball player and have a 'P' on my chest that does present some restrictions. But we wrote up a letter and a request and they denied the request. "But we filed a waiver for a one-time exception for this situation, and they granted that. No we have three billboards up around town for Family Realty Groups, and obviously a website, so right now we're taking full advantage of that." Toyra has some restrictions. He can't use Purdue, its logo or any- thing basketball-related for advertisements. Yet that he's a basketball player, has those connections and can use it as a conversation-starter with potential clients is beneficial. "That brings a lot of credibility and value," partner Eliseo Medra- no said. "Of course, we can't cash those chips in, if you will, right now. But obviously, the relationships that he brings to the table, that is great." — Kyle Charters Tom Campbell Toyra has only played 16 minutes for Purdue this season, but he's staying business with practice, class and off-court business ventures. For daily headlines on recruiting and other Purdue sports news, check out with my classwork. It's not like I can just call my professors and be like 'Hey, I've got other stuff to do.' Even if I could, I don't think Coach (Matt) Painter would be good with that. So I'm definitely in all my classes. "The time in between, my schedule has been set up pretty well this semester to war- rant a lot of time in the office in the mornings. That really helps keep things going there." Medrano says Toyra balances well. "I can't really can't completely understand how he does it or kind of keeps up with every- thing," he said. "It's pretty impressive. His time management skills have to be right on target. Otherwise, it just wouldn't work, and he does it masterfully." Toyra doesn't know what the future holds. He'll graduate from Krannert, having his class experience there and real-life business experience. But little doubt he'll stay busy. "I'm not a guy who can just sit around and do nothing," Toyra said. "I enjoy being busy and I often times hear from my mom and dad saying, 'Hey man, you have way too much stuff on your plate.' "So keeping things balanced is impor- tant. But I really, really enjoy it. I really do." j