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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4 11 Does next AD need Purdue ties? Kyle Charters Nothing against anyone with Purdue ties — there have been plenty of quality (and qualified) individuals here in the past and plenty now — but the school's athletic program needs a fresh perspective. Bring someone in who can invigorate a program in need of invigorating. It doesn't take a person accustomed to the challenges of Purdue or West Lafayette or whatever to do that; it takes the opposite, a leader who can see those and adjust, find ways to overcome potential limitations. Push boundaries. Think outside the box, rather than come in with a preconceived box. In a lot of ways, Purdue's presentation has grown stale, and that more than anything else needs to change. Purdue was cool in the past, with Drew and Cowboy Joe and tossed jackets and strong personalities on great teams, and it can be cool again. But to get there, it needs to be turned around, cajoled, prodded. An outsider could do it best. Alan Karpick There is something to be said for change, but I think knowledge of the unique place and position that Purdue athletics finds itself in is best served by someone that has a working knowledge of the marketplace. I am not suggesting that it must come from someone that currently works in Purdue athletics or at the university, but the nuance of the job, the Boilermakers' market position, the university's perception of the role of big-time college athletics in the overall experience for students, alumni and fans is important. In fact, it is critical if this is all going to get better. Purdue is one thing if it is anything ... it is different and unique. And a creative thinker who understands what works and what doesn't here can be someone who can hit the ground running. No small task, but the elephant in the room is football. If that gets fixed, just about everything is in place for success. Bring me an aggressive marketer, risk-taker and uniter with a dash of Boilermaker, and I think you have the right person for the job.