Purdue student-athletes are provided the opportunity
to hear individuals speak about different aspects of student life
at the collegiate level. In the past several years, the following
speakers have spoken to Purdue University student-athletes:
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Mike Green, a nationally renowned speaker
on alcohol abuse and president of the Collegiate Consultants
on Drugs and Alcohol, spoke during the spring 2002 semester.
Mike is a nationally recognized alcohol and drug educator. The
former college football player and coach at West Chester University
in Pennsylvania, discussed alcohol and binge drinking during
his presentation. Green has spoken to students on more than
1,000 campuses around the country. Green testified before the
U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Narcotics
Abuse and Substance Control in 1987.
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Kevin Pendergast, former Notre Dame student-athlete,
spoke to Purdue student-athletes regarding the danger of addiction
to organized gambling. In 1995, Pendergast — who had become
addicted to gambling and found himself deep in debt —
met Northwestern University men’s basketball player Dion
Lee, who was in a similar situation. Together, Pendergast and
Lee conspired to fix three games that year. Pendergast made
between $40,000 and $70,000. Pendergast, as part of his contrition,
is traveling the country warning student-athletes and coaches
against winding up in his situation.
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During fall 2003, Matt Wilson of Wealth Management,
Inc., met with the football team and its coaches. Matt is a
registered investment advisor from Mobile, Alabama. Matt covered
a myriad of issues: The professional life of a pro athlete,
how to choose an agent, the dangers of unscrupulous agents,
and responsibilities of the student-athlete to adhere to NCAA
regulations regarding dealing with agents. Matt also discussed
the various types of disability insurance. Money management
was also covered. The message being — be frugal! Although
there are large sums to be made, it does not last forever, so
invest, and save, and maintain a “nest egg” for
the time when playing days are over.
