The Exponent Online


03/04/02	Previous Edition 3/1

Senior expresses appreciation for coaches

Stephanie Young/Senior Photographer

GOOD FORM: Senior Joe Marshall looks good as he readies a shot during a game earlier this season. Teammate Willie Deane describes Marshall as the "motivational leader, the heart and soul of Purdue."

By Greg Conner
Staff Writer

Now one loss away from the end of his playing career as a Boilermaker, Joe Marshall wants to return the favor to a coaching staff that has given so much to him.

"They have been a tremendous asset to my life," said Marshall, a senior guard. "I think if I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It’s real tough right now…not just for us, but also for coach Martin, coach Foster, and all the people who built this program.

"Not only that, but coach (Gene) Keady had a winning tradition here, and we have kind of brought that down. That’s not how we want to be remembered."

Marshall, who transferred to Purdue after playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at Southern Idaho and Mississippi State, said the main factor that brought him to West Lafayette was the Boilermaker program’s winning tradition.

"When you think of Purdue University basketball, you think of an elite program that was going to the tournament every year, and who was competing for the national championship," said Marshall, a 6-foot-2 guard from Mobile, Ala.

"And then meeting coach Keady and feeling his loyalty and commitment to this program…that’s what sold me, that’s what really brought me here."

Marshall, who averages 5.9 points per game along with 2.4 rebounds, is considered by many to be the Boiler’s unofficial leader both on and off the court.

"Joe is our motivational leader, the heart and soul of Purdue, and one of our best iron ball defenders," said Purdue junior guard Willie Deane. "So, we look up to him a lot in many aspects, as far as keeping people together, motivational purposes and locking down great scorers on other teams."

Away from basketball, Marshall enjoys spending time with his Omega Phi Psi fraternity brothers, which he honors each game by using the fraternity's hand symbol when he's introduced as a starter or if he makes a big basket.

Even though the season has not gone the way he would have liked, Marshall is thankful for all the great experiences he has had while at Purdue.

"I think my greatest memory is meeting new friends," said Marshall. "I understand that it’s very seldom that players get a chance to be coached by someone like coach Keady, and be around players like Brian Cardinal, Jaraan Cornell and Mike Robinson…those have been my most memorable times."

Marshall is not sure what the future holds for him, but he knows that his time as a Boilermaker will help him in whatever he chooses to pursue.

"Basketball is still in the future, but who knows where that goes?" said Marshall, who is majoring in small business. "I just take it one day at a time. I know one thing, though, I’m going for this degree, and if basketball doesn’t workout, I’m hopeful I can get into pharmaceutical sales."

Academics are something Marshall said Keady has really helped him concentrate on.

"Coach Keady has been a person that has given me the drive," said Marshall. "He is always on my back about doing things right; and then, when I do them right, he knows how to pat someone on his back and say good job. He is a person that moves someone forward, not only for basketball, but also for grades."

Marshall hopes this week’s Big Ten tournament ends as sweet as his final game in Mackey Arena did on Saturday, a 92-57 victory over Penn State.

With just over four minutes to play in Saturday’s game against the Nittany Lions, Marshall, a senior on the Purdue men’s basketball team, intercepted a pass and capped his last play in front of the home crowd with a slam dunk.

"I would say it’s the best way to go out," said Marshall, who had a season high 16 points Saturday. "But we have to win out from here."

The Boilers must win the Big Ten Tournament to make it into the NCAA tournament, and though many have written off the Boilermakers as being a contender, Marshall is optimistic.

"We beat Illinois … and that showed this team and a lot of other people that we could be good if we play together and if we play defense," said Marshall. "To beat them, and also to beat Iowa, I think we can play with anyone."

Keady agreed that the season is not over yet.

"It’s just too bad that Joe hasn’t had a better year, because I would have liked to see him go out on a plus," said Keady. "But it’s not over yet, so we hope some things will happen, especially for the seniors, here that will kind of be a positive twist for them."

Though Marshall said he was influenced heavily by several people from home, he credits Purdue assistant coach Cuonzo Martin with influencing his life the most at Purdue.

"(Martin) has given me direction, because I have seen how he has overcome cancer, and he has been like a mentor to me. He calls me when I’m at home, and calls me when he is on the road. He has just been like a brotherly type of coach."

When asked if leaving Purdue would be bittersweet because of this year’s disappointing regular season, Marshall was quick to respond.

"I wouldn’t say that, because our hopes are still alive; we got the Big Ten tournament coming," said Marshall. "The dreams are still here. They’re dim the way we have been playing, but all you need is a little break and the light will shine through."

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