John Friend becomes charter inductee

Athletic Director/Asst. Vice Chancellor of Health, Recreation and Sports Robert Bunnell (left) introduces retired Athletic Director John Friend as charter inductee of the Purdue University Calumet Athletic Hall of Fame.

Retired Athletic Director John Friend is the charter inductee of the Purdue University Calumet Athletic Hall of Fame.

Friend, who headed Purdue Calumet’s athletic program from 1980 until his retirement in 2001 and also served as athletics consultant last year, was introduced during homecoming festivities on campus Feb. 9.

“We are excited about the institution of a Purdue University Calumet Athletic Hall of Fame and look forward to recognizing the men and women who have contributed to our athletic heritage,” current Purdue Calumet Athletic Director and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Health, Recreation & Sports Robert Bunnell said. “As our charter inductee, we cannot think of any person who better embodies the spirit of the University and our athletic program than John Friend.”

Additionally, alumna Brenda (Clark) Drook, who this season became the third female in Indiana high school history to serve as head coach of a varsity boys basketball team (Hebron High School), received the Purdue Alumni Association-Calumet’s annual Bob Hayes Athletic Alumni Award.

The namesake of Drook’s award is another retired Purdue Calumet athletic director, who also served the University as a coach, faculty member and sports statistician for some 37 years. The award is presented annually to a former Purdue Calumet athlete or other graduate who has distinguished oneself in sports/athletics or another field following his/her Purdue Calumet years.

“Her accomplishments as an educator and coach and the positive influence she has had on so many young people make Brenda a deserving recipient of this year’s Bob Hayes Award,” Purdue Calumet Director of Alumni Relations Leticia Toma said.

The Portage native and three-sport standout was a three-year starter at point guard for Purdue Calumet during the mid-1980s. After graduating with a degree in elementary education, she began her teaching/coaching career in Illinois. She has been at Hebron since 1994, having also coached girls softball (three years), girls volleyball (14 years) and junior varsity boys basketball (13 years) squads. As volleyball coach, she led her squads to two sectional, three Porter County Conference and two PCC tournament titles.