Lowe instead of Stratton to attend kickoff luncheon

By Keith Thomas
Editor in Chief

Keeping the focus on football rather than off-the-field problems, the Purdue football team will not be taking tight end Tim Stratton to the annual Big Ten Conference Kickoff Luncheon in Chicago next month.

Stratton, who was to initially accompany defensive end Akin Ayodele as Purdue's two senior player representatives, was arrested on charges of battery stemming from a June 28 altercation across the street from a West Lafayette bar, sending a Purdue student to the hospital.

According to Jay Cooperider, director of athletic communications and information services, the announcement isn't intended to discipline Stratton.

"It's not a punishment; we have no idea what the outcome of the judicial process will be," said Cooperider. "It's really to try to do the best thing for the Purdue football program."

According to Cooperider, Purdue running back Montrell Lowe will take Stratton's place at the media event, which is Aug. 1-2 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.

During last year's media event, Penn State coach Joe Paterno fielded numerous questions about the legal status of quarterback Rashard Casey, who was facing numerous charges with local police. Although Casey didn't attend the conference as one of the Nittany Lions' two player representatives, the questions about his legal and playing status were topics of great speculation.

Cooperider said Purdue coach Joe Tiller doesn't want a similar situation.

"The idea is to have this event be about football," said Cooperider. "We want the focus to be on Purdue football."

Tiller, who said in a release last month that he has no comment on Stratton's situation until the legal process "runs it's course," was out of town.

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Lowe instead of Stratton to attend kickoff luncheon

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