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The 3-2-1: Jim Vruggink receives well-earned recognition after decades of selfless dedication

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•07/01/25•

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Three things learned. Two questions. One thought. It’s The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 – A good man

It was nice to see Jim Vruggink inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame at the recent National Football Foundation brunch, a well-deserved honor for a loyal employee who pored a lot of his life into Purdue.

Over his years in sports information, Vruggink quietly and dutifully impacted many. And I’ll never forget how he directed all publicity efforts for Drew Brees during that magical 2000 season. Vruggink was a sage publicist who carried out his tasks with aplomb, duty and grace since arriving in West Lafayette in 1982.

(I was a student assistant for Vruggink in the mid-1980s, tasked on Saturday game-day mornings with buying a case of beer from Arth’s on Stadium and chilling it in a cooler of ice for hacks to quench their post-game thirst as the typed away on their TRS-80s in the ancient Ross-Ade press box.)

So, when Joe Tiller wanted a local NFF chapter over 20 years ago, it was Vruggink who picked up the ball and made it happen. Thousands of scholarship dollars have been handed out to high school students. On top of that, Purdue has seen several former players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame since the inception of the Tiller NFF chapter, including players like Rod Woodson, Otis Armstrong and Dave Butz.

Thank the affable and humble Vruggink, an iconic Purdue solider who always held his head high even when things didn’t roll his way. That’s when you truly see someone’s character: In adversity. Not when things are going well.

It was never about Vruggink. It was always about others. So, it’s good see the spotlight shine on this selfless Boilermaker in June.

Take a bow for a job well done. But, most importantly, take a bow for being a loving husband, father and all-around good person.

2 – Tickets are moving

I got a chance to speak with deputy AD Ken Halpin–the most fit man in the athletic department, by the way–about 2025 football season ticket sales. And, the news was good for Purdue.

Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect to hear coming off an horrendous 2024 season that was … (What’s the nicest way I can put this?) … the worst I have ever witnessed. And I’ve seen some bad Purdue football seasons.

Would people still buy season tickets?

No doubt, a program reboot under Barry Odom has fueled hopes for a tortured Boilermaker fan base, a fan base that deserves return on its loyalty investment of the last few years.

We all know how vital it is financially for athletic departments to have a vibrant football program. Purdue’s has a lot to prove as the college sports moves into the brave new world of revenue sharing. From his big leather chair looking out on busy Northwestern Avenue, AD Mike Bobinski doesn’t want to contemplate the consequences of a lackluster football program.

3 – Rev share era is here

That became official on July 1.

It’s a new era. And, I am very happy the players are starting to get their just due when it comes to compensation. It was too long in coming.

Purdue will fund its rev share to the max allowed: $20.5 million. Bobinski recently met with local scribes to discuss what is coming.

It will be interesting to see how Purdue divvies up the loot among sports. Bobinski told our own Brian Neubert that four sports will primarily participate in revenue-sharing, none of them being surprising.

Football with consume the majority of the money, with men’s basketball being the second most.

“That’s where the revenues are generated,” Bobinski said. “You can agree or disagree but that’s a fact.”

Women’s basketball and volleyball will be the two women’s sports with shares.

How will athletics look in 5, 10 years? Fascinating.

Two questions

1 – Biggest mystery?

It’s the secondary, without a doubt.

I have no earthly idea what to make of a unit that has imported 12 players from the portal–six cornerbacks and six safeties. The best of that batch? Without a doubt, it’s Tony Grimes. After that?

Those I talk to who are familiar with the program also report that the DB group is an unknown. It just wasn’t really tested in the spring by the quarterback and wideout units.

Veteran talent back? Not much of proven consequence. I know the staff really likes CB Hudauri Hines. And S Stu Smith will be a factor, along with S Smiley Bradford.

Stay tuned. The secondary is the biggest unknown on a 2025 Purdue roster wrapped in a riddle and stuffed with questions.

2 – No Ryan Browne at media day?

On Monday, Purdue announced the players who will represent the program at Big Ten media days in Las Vegas on July 24: RB Devin Mockobee, CB Tony Grimes and DE C.J. Madden.

No Ryan Browne.

Mockobee is a no-brainer to bring, the face of the franchise, if you will. Grimes? He’s a Vegas transfer who knows Odom and his program. Madden? He played in three games last year after transferring from Georgia.

Nothing personal with Madden, a swell guy who could be poised for a breakout. But Browne should be coming instead of him.

Yes, the QB job supposedly is open, a likely battle between Browne and Malachi Singleton. But, c’mon. Browne was brought back to Purdue after transferring to North Carolina for the spring with the thought of him winning the job at a position that flat-lined all spring.

Browne should be in Sin City with his Boiler buddies. He’s a guy media would want to talk to. Heck, he may be THE key guy to the entire season.

Too bad No. 15 won’t be there.

One thought: Season can’t start soon enough

Enough conjecture. Enough speculation. Enough analysis. Let’s play football.

This past offseason has been like none other in West Lafayette, with massive player movement coming on the heels of a coaching change.

I never thought I’d see Purdue fire a coach after just two years. But, it happened. That’s how bad things were in West Lafayette. And I never thought I’d see Purdue bring in over 70 news players in an offseason.

But, here we are.

How is this gonna play out this fall? If anyone says they know, they’re lying.

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