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Keady opens practice, fits
team with helmets
By Doug Healey
Assistant
Sports Editor
Purdue men's basketball coach Gene Keady will do
something today that he's never done in 22 years as Purdue's coach.
Keady has decided to open practice, which goes
from 1-4, strictly for the student body. But Keady also has a new drill
he's doing for the first time. During today's practice, the Purdue basketball
players will wear helmets and shoulder pads during a rebounding drill.
"We don’t think our team is physical enough
right now," said Keady, whose team had Thursday off. "So hopefully this
will toughen them up, but at the same time we don’t want to hurt
anybody.
"We hope it's gonna be a competitive practice because
it's getting close to a game, and also because they're gonna be in front
of a student audience."
Keady said the coaches had the players get measured
for helmets and shoulder pads, but they didn’t tell the players
why.
As for reasons for opening practice, it's just
the latest example of Keady reaching out to the students.
"Coach Keady has a totally different approach this
season, as far as reaching out to the student body," said Lori Frost,
promotions director of Purdue athletics.
"It's a big deal to (Keady). He really wants the
students to support the team."
There will also be student season ticket applications
available for this season's home games in Mackey Arena, which has been
sold out seven of Keady's 22 years as Purdue coach.
George Ade, the ticket manager for Purdue athletics,
said that as of Thursday, 2,500 men's basketball student season tickets
have been sold out of a possible 3,100 for the new student section.
The new section, nicknamed "The Gene Pool," forms a wedge around the
Boiler Brass pep band and extends behind the visiting team's bench.
In total, 11,650 season tickets have been sold
for the 15 home men's basketball games, which start Nov. 5 when Purdue
plays the International Select team in the 14,123-seat Mackey Arena.
Tickets can be purchased via the Internet at www.purduesports.com,
by phone at (800) 49-SPORT or in the Purdue athletic ticket office,
which is located in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility Building.
Season ticket packages for the men's games are $289 for the public,
$232 for faculty and staff and $104 for students.
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Pass
offense to face tough defense in Illinois
Boilers
begin preseason Sunday
Keady
opens practice, fits team with helmets
Boilers
to face two ranked teams
Swimmers
lose in new pool, prepare to face Miami of Ohio
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki
Assistant sports
editor:
Doug Healey
To
send a letter to the editor, please email sports@purdueexponent.org
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