Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/766803
GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 27, ISSUE 3 42 but it wasn't all business. The group watched the quarterback take some good-natured ribbing from some teammates who were in attendance. "One thing I learned the more I am around Brees is that he is about as regular a guy as you will find," Klipsch said. "His teammates who were at the Novem- ber meeting gave it to him pretty good, and they ar- gued who was the fastest, and the rest of us kind of sat back and watched. It was really funny and fun to be part of." Yet, to a person, circle members seem to be well aware the road back for Purdue football won't be easy, and maybe not as fast as Martin's daughter would like. Martin, Folk and Klipsch are excited about the fu- ture with Brohm and Bobinski but also think the big- gest key to a turnaround is how closely the Board of Trustees, university president Mitch Daniels and ath- letic department work together. "I feel this is the first time in a very long time that we are aligned and focused and willing to heavily in- vest in football from the Board to the president to the athletic department to the coach," Folk said. "Football is the front porch to the university for the alumni, and I think everyone is committed to making that work." Klipsch has a front-row view of the process from two angles. He serves as the Board's liaison to Bo- binski, which allows for increased concentration on football with the plan of making the Trustees "re- al-time" aware of the needs of football in particular and athletics as a whole. According to Klipsch, there is a perception that needs to be changed. "I can tell you from Day 1, despite the perception that has been widely held by fans, the Board is and has been 100-percent be- hind the program," said Klipsch, the retired global operations, COO and chief counsel for Klipsch Group. "Things haven't worked out as we would have liked (such as the Darrell Hazell hire), but it wasn't for lack Drew and Brittany Brees New Orleans Adam and Katherine Byers Libertyville, Ill. Michael Byers Carmel, Ind. David and Anita Dauch Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Sandy Dauch Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Doug and Maria Devos Grand Rapids, Mich Matt and Mary Folk Carmel, Ind. Michael and Paula Klipsch Carmel, Ind. Bob and Amy Martin Bristol, Ind. Tom and Joy Spurgeon Peoria Heights, Ill. Deeni & Leslie Taylor Carmel, Ind. Greg and Kim Wasson Long Grove, Ill. NLC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Tom Campbell During the groundbreaking for the Football Performance Center in April, the NLC was liter- ally (in this image) and figuratively standing behind the future of Purdue football with their financial and emotional contributions.