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VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2 41 igan and Vincent Edwards did. But when Coach Matt Painter asked him about it, he provided a quick, "No, thanks." He knew he had work to do to improve as a prospect. He knew he'd have a chance to showcase his ability more if he stayed at Purdue, moving into the starting spot vacated by A.J. Hammons. He knew he must be at his best before he could take the next step — because he wants a long-term pro career. "The beginning of my sophomore year, I was like, 'I want to be able to provide for her to where she doesn't have to worry about anything: She never has to worry about money, a house, someone to take care of her. I want to be able to help her in that aspect and make sure she's comfortable for the rest of her life,'" Isaac said. "It's always been a background fuel." Isaac hopes to help soon. But not just Erin. He wants to start a foundation to promote epilep- sy awareness and generate research to better un- derstand the malfunction in the brain. The ultimate goal would be to find a cure, using technological ad- vances. "I really just want to be part of something like that, greater than myself and that reaches out to other people," Issac said. "I just really want to help in that sense." Teammates aren't surprised to hear Isaac's inten- tions. Good friend and teammate Jacquil Taylor said, simply, "He has a great heart." Taylor has seen Isaac interact with Erin, includ- ing on a visit over Fourth of July weekend this sum- mer at the Haas homestead. "I think they have a very good relationship," Tay- lor said. "Erin is a very nice girl. I think Isaac does a very good job of being a big brother. He tries to the best of his ability to help her out as much as he can, even though he's far away from her." Rachel Haas is convinced with Isaac's natural ability to draw people in, the foundation has a good chance not only to become a reality but a successful endeavor. Especially with Erin's help. "She's amazing," Rachel Haas said. "She vol- unteers to be part of tests when she's in the hospital, which is pretty often. They'll come in and say, 'We're doing a study, it's not going to help you in any way, but would you be willing to either undergo this test or answer these questions or give blood' — or whatever — 'to possibly help children in the future?' And she's like, 'Oh, yeah.' She doesn't want anybody to deal with what she's dealing with. "She understands helping other people and that kind of thing." Just like her big brother. — Stacy Clardie Isaac has a special relationship with younger sister Erin, who was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 3 months old. VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2 41