$10M Donation Supports Purdue Hoops Head Coach

(Image of Mackey Arena courtesy of Purdue University.)

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Purdue University Athletics has received the single-largest gift in its history. Long-time packaged consumer goods industry executive Dick Buell, a 1972 graduate, says his $10 million donation will help the Boilermakers cover the salary of the head men’s basketball coach. It will now be called the L. Dick Buell Endowed Head Men’s Basketball Coaching position.

Buell previously served as chief executive officer of Florida-based Catalina Marketing Corp. He was also CEO or chief operations officer for WS Brands, Foodbrands America and Griffith Laboratories and vice president of Kraft Foods Group Marketing. Buell, who currently sits on several corporate boards, says the goal for the endowment is to attract and retain the best coach for the program. Matt Painter currently serves in the role.

"Considering the national culture of intercollegiate athletics, specifically men’s basketball, it has been a point of pride for me to observe a leader like Matt Painter and to witness what his teams have accomplished," Buell said in a news release. "I recognize and appreciate the value of integrity in Matt’s leadership, and I am proud to have the opportunity to reinforce Purdue Athletics’ core values through the establishment of a head-coaching endowment."

Last year, the women’s volleyball head coaching position became the first at Purdue to be supported through an endowment. Dave Shondell serves in the Art and Connie Euler Head Volleyball Coaching position.