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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 28 • 18 Davis graduated from Ohio Dominican University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree and got a master's in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009. Soon after he was hired at Purdue, Davis said in an interview that he knew he wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach. "I think everybody can make an impact, but we see them every day and I like being with them all the time and really truly getting to see that growth is pretty neat," Davis said in 2013. "There's so many pieces that make up those types of transformations. It's coaches, it's professors, your academic people who dedicate so much time to making sure the guys are getting good grades. The neat thing is to see a team of people working together for a common purpose. That's what we're all here for, and the exciting part is that the resources we have here at Purdue, they've been awesome. It's been cool. "Ultimately, the greatest thing is that down the line you're contacted by those athletes who want to stay in touch with you. That's really cool. But I will tell you when you're lining up to play for a championship, to know that it's truly arrived and all that work is culminating on a big championship, that's an unbelievable feeling that we're preparing to have here." Davis died due to complications from pneumonia, according to the Journal & Courier. He was 33. His funeral was in Ohio, where Davis is from. "Coach Davis was a tremendous man, somebody who really brought the juice every single day," former Boilermaker Landon Feichter said. "I was able to get close with him, with a lot of one-on-one workouts because of my schedule. When I heard the news, my heart had never dropped so hard. It's pretty tough. But I know he's in a better place right now looking down on all of us. He will be in everybody's thoughts and prayers." SHOWCASE Though it's not yet official in terms of a signed contract, Hazell confirmed Purdue will open its 2017 season against Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Boilermakers played at the same venue against Notre Dame last season, and Hazell likes the exposure it brings. "Really special. It's one of the best places in the country to play a football game. It'll be good," Hazell said after speaking to a group of JPC members at a Coaches Caravan event last week at Victory Field in Indianapolis — with Lucas Oil Stadium in view. Hazell wasn't sure if the game will serve as a home game for Purdue, but regardless, he's eager for a showdown against a name opponent. "That'll be great contest, a lot of energy because you get a team from the south that's not very far, (and) that's a great venue for us," Hazell said. In another scheduling note, athletic director Morgan Burke said Purdue has an agreement in principle for a home- and-away series with Vanderbilt. The first game would be in 2019, Burke said. Already, the Boilermakers have Virginia Tech, Missouri and Wake Forest on future schedules for non- conference games, as well as welcoming Notre Dame back to the mix in 2020. "The whole idea of nine Big Ten games, one against the group of five (power conferences) and two others; we're in pretty good shape," Burke said. WORKING THE 'PLAN' With Purdue devising its "master plan" for football that will include renovation to the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, the Brees Academic Center and Ross-Ade Stadium's south end zone, Hazell and Purdue's senior associate athletic director for facilities Steve Simmerman were among a group that recently visited Baylor, Arkansas and Texas A&M to check out those programs' football facilities. When I say "good," you say "neighbor." P097313.1 State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL Call me for your insurance needs and see how it feels to be on a #1 team. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. ® CALL ME TODAY. Now that's teamwork. Trent B Johnson, Agent 249 E State Street West Lafayette, IN 47906 Bus: 765-743-9595 trentismyagent.com Tom Campbell Though it's not yet finalized, Darrell Hazell confirmed the Boilermakers will play in Lucas Oil Stadium in 2017 when they open the season with Louisville. Purdue played at the Colts' facility against Notre Dame last season.