Fans welcome back Boilermakers

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Approximately 120 fans showed up at the Purdue Airport to give the national runner-up Purdue women's basketball team another round of cheers.

"We really didn't expect that anybody would be here," guard Kelly Komara said after getting off the plane at approximately 1:40 p.m. Monday.

"It's a nice gesture and it sort of lets us know that they appreciate us and the season that we had."

Purdue's season ended with a 68-66 loss to Notre Dame in Sunday night's NCAA title game in St. Louis. The Boilers finished 31-7.

"It was a fantastic game — a game that nobody wanted anybody to lose," Komara said. "We had a great run at it and we came up a little bit short in the end, but it doesn't take anything away from our team."

Gordon and Elaine Rains, two long-time fans and John Purdue Club members who came to the airport to cheer for the team, agreed. They said the simple fact that Purdue, the No. 3 seed in the Mideast regional, made its way to the national championship game is impressive.

The Rainses moved to West Lafayette from Libertyville, Ill., in 1998 and have been season ticket holders since. They saw the Boilers' national title run in 1999 and said that the Boilers could contend for a title again in the near future.

"To watch the way these freshmen have handled themselves has been great," Elaine said. "They'll be good for years to come."

Freshman Shereka Wright, who had 17 points in Sunday's game, said the team has a lot of potential.

She said she was glad to see fans at the airport.

"Our fans love us," Wright said. "They know we played our hearts out. They're very supportive and they know that this program still has years to come."

Though number of fans present surprised some, there was a paltry amount of students in the crowd.

Eric Kukula, a junior in the School of Technology, showed up to clap for his friends on the team — Katie Douglas, Candi Crawford and Komara.

"I wish more students would have shown up after the great season the team had," Kukula, a season ticket holder, said. "People damaged the school because they lost. They should've come here to show their support in a positive way."

• Boilermaker fans have one more opportunity to show their appreciation for the women's great season at a pep rally at 6 p.m. today in Mackey Arena.

Fans welcome back women's team

Celebration to honor Boiler's season

Boiler softball to face Notre Dame

Team prepares for nationals in Los Angeles

Cheerleaders head to national competition

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org