As a visitor to this board and former IU footballer, I thought I would share a little memory........With that said, I always have a little chuckle every Purdue week when I think back to my oldest son being recruited by IU and Coach Wilson, who made one of the biggest recruiting blunders I have ever seen. I will chalk it up to being new in the position and wanting to make an impression, but here it goes.....
We were walking in the newly completed N end zone facility, there were parents of all the other recruits walking around and unfortunately, observing mostly basketball trophies. One parent from Cincinnati was wearing his weathered Buckeye hat that he had probably worn for 20+ years, another parent had on a zip up jacket and underneath a purple sweatshirt. The jacket was unzipped midway and you could see the "thw" lettering in the middle. Obviously, a Northwestern sweatshirt and there was one gentleman walking around with a black sweatshirt with a big gold "P" outlined in white and a black and white hat with a gold "P" in front......
Coach Wilson came in the room and was shaking a few hands as he walked to the front of the room and then,... he went off, "We will not be wearing other opponents teams colors in this building! You will wear Cream and Crimson or you can get the hell out!", The intensity was rising with each word. "If you can't get behind these kids, If you can't get behind this program, then this is not the place for you,and you need to go. His face is now, crimson and he looks like a crazy guy. "You WILL NOT be wearing ANYTHING that is in support of our rivals." At this point, he is glaring and staring down the father with the "Purdue" sweatshirt. "I'm not going to apologize for this, I just get very passionate, and if you don't like it, get the hell out." All the time staring at the father with the "Purdue" shirt.
At this point, the father rose, and said, "Coach,....we are from Parkway HS in Ohio, and our school colors are Black and Gold and I think you are exactly right, THIS is not the place for us..." With that, he turned to his son and the 6'6" 280 lb high schooler, got up and he and his father walked out. My son turned to me and whispered, "Dad, I hope Coach Wilson is wearing his mint flavored shoes, 'cause he just stuck his foot in his mouth, big time," "Where was his staff on this? They should have let him know where people are from in this situation. If this is the way he prepares for recruits, the rest of his prep must not be too good either, I know you played here and would love to have me do it too, but no way am I going here."
anyway, every time we get to Purdue week, that little exchange pops in my head.
I think the kid from Parkway ended up at Louisville or Cincinnati and was a 3-4 year starter.
Thought I would share with "The Bad Guys".......