Purdue University Men's basketball coach Matt Painter was the featured speaker (Thursday) at the annual meeting and banquet for the Hundred Club of Kankakee County.  Painter has led the Boilermaker program for 18 years, since suceeding the legendary Gene Keady.  Painter played for Keady, serving as point guard.  

The Boiler program has weathered the transfer portal.  Purdue has had the fewest players transferring of any major college basketball program. Painter says a key is to attract players witha a dream for basketball , but also have that dream for education.  The veteran coach said 'you don't let players do what they want to do but instead do what'[s best for them."

Painter told an audience of 250+ this coaching is not just recruiting good players.  You have to develop them, treat them right and make sure education is on target. 

The Hundred Club benefits first responders, providing payouts to the surviving spouses of police and firefighters who have died in the line-of-duty.  Scholarship money is also extended to students studying law enforcement and firefighting careers.

94.1 WGFA