Drew Brees

Akin Ayodele is Head of Business Development for Sapoznik Insurance, a World Company. His focus is opening new channels to help drive business opportunities through relationships with community leaders and organizations. An entrepreneur at heart, Akin was Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Eagle Rock Wealth Management before joining Sapoznik. After being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002, Akin spent nine years in the NFL as a starting linebacker, playing for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Buffalo Bills. Akin received his Liberal Arts degree from Purdue University where he played football and studied Psychology & Law in Society, with a minor in Organizational Leadership. After retiring from the NFL he earned his Master of Business Administration degree from The George Washington University. Akin is Co-Founder of The Dream Builders Foundation and a motivational speaker, others with his belief in the power of perseverance, positivity, and hard work.

Brittany Bertsch is the owner of Precision Mobile Veterinary Services performing advanced surgeries for pets throughout central Indiana. Her emphasis is to create relationships with clinics and Veterinarians to help provide support to each community. She graduated from the Purdue College of Veterinary medicine in 2016 after completing four years with the Women’s Basketball Team from 2008-2012, where she scored 1,795 points over her illustrious career. During her time at Purdue, she was awarded Academic All-American 2nd Team and was the Big Ten Medal of Honor award recipient her senior year. She is excited to work with the community and support student athletes to become leaders and provide opportunities for local charities.

Léony is driven to empower people to pursue their full potential. Originally from Montreal, Canada, she played on the Purdue Women's Basketball team and completed Bachelor and Master degrees in Biomedical Engineering with a focus in Entrepreneurship from 2017 to 2022. As part of her extracurricular activities at Purdue, she co-founded the inaugural Wheel Rise event and founded RIISE, a Purdue student-organization that raises awareness for adaptive sports and pursues projects at the interface of inclusivity, sports, and engineering. She is now working at Zwift in the fitness/technology industry in southern California, and is continuing to embody her passion for sports through triathlon and fitness. As a proud Boilermaker, she's inspired to continue supporting the next generations of student-athletes and leaders in becoming impact players in their communities.

Grace graduated from Purdue in Spring of 2022 after receiving her degree in Retail Management. During her time at Purdue, Grace was a four year starter on the Women’s Volleyball team earning multiple honors, including AVCA First team All-American, 2020-2021 Purdue Female Athlete of the year, and three time All Big-Ten Honoree. Ranking third all-time in career blocks assists (423), she helped the team to two NCAA Elite Eight appearances. The three time Academic All Big-Ten and 2021 Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipient credits Purdue and its people for pushing her to excel in the classroom and on the court. She currently resides in Indianapolis, where she works as a Staffing Consultant for Beacon Hill Technologies and enjoys giving volleyball lessons in her free time. She is excited to get back on campus and support Boiler athletics!

As a 1986 graduate of Purdue University, Jim Everett is a two-time Most Valuable Athlete, Purdue’s Male Athlete-of-the-Year, and is a member of the Purdue Hall of Fame. Jim was drafted third overall in the 1986 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers. He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1986 through 1993, the New Orleans Saints from 1994 to 1996 and the San Diego Chargers in 1997. Jim remains the Los Angeles Rams’ all-time leading passer. After retiring from the NFL, Jim went back and got his MBA from Pepperdine University. Jim ran his own financial business, the Jim Everett Company, for 14 years and has worked in local TV and radio stations during football season since the Rams return to LA in 2016. He also serves as a board member for a number of public and private companies, many of which are in the crypto, blockchain, and Web3 technology spaces.

Nick Hardwick is a former 11-year starting center for the San Diego Chargers football team. Nick accumulated 146 career starts in his career, was the team Captain for his final 5 seasons as a pro, and made it to the Pro Bowl following the 2006 season. In his second year as a Boilermaker, attended walk-on tryouts and made the team that year. Three years later, Hardwick was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 66th pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, the first of 9 Boilermakers selected. Nick retired following the 2014 season and immediately went into broadcasting, as the Chargers color analyst, and became a sports talk radio host. Hardwick also launched The Hardwick Life podcast, wrote an eBook titled “Lose Like a Lineman,” and opened a health and wellness company aimed at guiding individuals to their most optimal health. To date, Hardwick has helped hundreds of men lose thousands of pounds.

Robbie Hummel holds the honor of being 2nd Team State Farm All American 2010 during his time as a Purdue University athlete. In 2012, he was drafted 58th by the Minnesota Timberwolves and played from 2013 to 2015. In 2019, he also became a Gold Medalist and MVP for USA Basketball (3x3 Nationals). Robbie has served as a College Basketball analyst for ESPN, Big Ten Network, and the Westwood One Radio. He’s called 80 games and did 15 studio appearances during the 2021-2022 college basketball season.

Matt Light was drafted out of Purdue University by the New England Patriots in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft. He retired after 11 seasons with the team. During his career, he played in nine division championships, three Pro-Bowls and helped the team win five conference titles and three Super Bowl crowns. He was also named an All-Pro in 2007 and is one of only five NFL players to start five Super Bowls. He and his wife Susie formed the Light Foundation during his rookie year, with a mission of providing young people with unique opportunities that ignite their passion, purpose, and motivation to succeed. He has also created the Light Foundation Leadership Academy, which offers young people unique outdoor and hands-on learning activities.

Cuonzo Martin has served the game of basketball for more than two decades, beginning with a standout four-year playing career at Purdue. He has played and coached alongside some of the game’s most highly-regarded mentors, including Hall of Fame Coach Gene Keady. After earning his degree, Martin joined Keady’s Purdue staff for the 2000-01 season as an assistant coach, his college coach, and remained with the Boilermaker program when Painter took over as head coach upon Keady’s retirement. He served as the Boilermaker’s associate coach during the 2007-08 season before taking the Missouri State post the following season. Cuonzo served as the 19th head coach to lead the Mizzou Tigers program. Before arriving at Mizzou, in his final season at Cal, Martin led the Golden Bears.

For the past eight years, Shaun Phillips has actively managed a number of investments, with an emphasis towards real estate. His portfolio includes ground up commercial development and redevelopment, high-end luxury homes, condominiums, and mobile homes parks. Mr. Phillips is also engaged in a number operating companies including a water distribution company, an e sports franchise, and digital content.Shaun played 11 years in the NFL as a Pro Bowl player and captain of the 2014 Super Bowl. He has successfully owned and operated Burlington Properties a real estate investment firm that actively pursues growth, and value add opportunities for its partners, investors, and community. Shaun received a degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University.

Pete is currently the National Director of Industrial Business Development for Sansone Group. During his career, Pete has provided consulting and transactional representation for numerous Fortune 500 companies and has specialized in logistics, transportation, and distribution industries. He currently serves on the board of the International Warehouse Logistics Association and is also a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Warehousing Education and Research Council. Pete has earned industry achievement awards, including the 2019 IAMC Michael P. Hickey Award, and has been inducted into the Midwest Real Estate News Hall of Fame. He is a Board Member for IAMC, IWLA, St. Mary's Child Center, Central Indiana Police Foundation and Indiana Sports Corp. He is the Chairman of the Board of the Boiler Business Exchange. He is also actively involved in his alma mater, Purdue University, where he was a starting offensive lineman for its football team from 1978-to 1981 and team captain in 1979 and 1980. He was voted to Purdue's 100-Year All-Time Football team and is in his 30th season as a Football Color Analyst on the Purdue Sports Radio Network.

Bobby Riddell joined the Purdue Men's Basketball team as a freshman at the start of the 2005-06 season under first year head coach Matt Painter. Bobby played four seasons and graduated from Purdue in 2009 and was part of three NCAA Tournament teams and a Big Ten Tournament championship in 2009. After his playing career ended, Bobby spent one season (2009-10) on the Purdue Men's Basketball coaching staff as a Student Assistant Coach. He recently rejoined the Purdue Basketball family when he was named the color analyst for the Purdue Men's Basketball radio team at the start of the 2020-21 season. Bobby currently works a full-time position as a CPA in the finance department for Purdue Research Foundation.

Adam Schenk is a former Purdue Men’s Golf student-athlete. He began his sixth PGA Tour season this fall and attributes his career successes to his time spent at Purdue University. Today Today, he continues to use Purdue’s top-notch facilities and Coach Rob Bradley’s instruction. He travels to West Lafayette any chance he can get to cheer on the Boilermakers and support Purdue Athletics.

Vinny Sutherland is a former Purdue student athlete where he earned All-Big Ten honors in both football and track. He was a fifth-round draft pick in the 2001 NFL draft. Vinny has spent the last 15 years as an insurance executive, currently working with JDA Insurance Group providing his clients with tailored risk management solutions. Beyond his professional achievements, Vinny dedicates time to coaching high school football and track and serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of West Palm Beach.