WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator Nancy Cross was named a recipient of the Special Boilermaker Award for 2020. Cross received the award along with Associate Director for the Office of Future Engineers Amy Glenn and the Assistant Director of Student Involvement Margie Jones.
The annual honor is presented by the Purdue Alumni Association to a member of the faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improved quality of life and the betterment of the educational experience for a substantial member of Purdue students.
The selection criteria for the Special Boilermaker Award include taking initiative in the solution of problems, unselfishly contributing time and effort, being a "silent contributor", devoting efforts beyond the expectations of their role and participating in activities that have improved the public image of the University, as this contributes to the growth and continuing respect for the University.
For more than 40 years, Cross has been a staple of Purdue Athletics. Serving in roles from head field hockey coach, assistant women's basketball coach, promotions coordinator, assistant director, and later director, of the John Purdue Club, associate athletics director for marketing and development, before moving into her current role. She also oversees women's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis and manages a portfolio of department donors.
As part of her award presentation, a flood of former student-athletes – Kara Patterson (Track & Field), August Kim (Women's Golf), Lisa Finkbiner (Field Hockey), Robbie Hummel (Men's Basketball), Susan Kelly (Field Hockey), Carol Emanuel (Women's Basketball), KK Houser (Women's Basketball), Logan Link (Football), Lauren Varnau Link (Soccer), David Boudia (Diving), Gui Rego (Men's Swimming), Brooke Beier (Women's Tennis) showered praise upon Cross for her selfless dedication to ensure their success on and off the playing fields.
"I can't think of anyone at Purdue who is more deserving of this honor. You were such a huge part for not just myself, but any student-athlete who has come through Purdue. You have been a huge part of their experience. You were such an unbelievable resource for me. Thank you so much for making me and every student-athlete feel important." – Robbie Hummel
"The program that she has helped mold over the years is impressive. What's more impressive is how she molded a multitude of girls into outstanding women. Whether it was her coaching, her mentoring or guidance, she always had her girls in mind. There are too many success stories to name. I really could not thank her enough." – Susan Kelly
"No one is more deserving of this than Nancy. No one has done more for the women student-athletes at Purdue than her. You were always there for us for anything. Whenever I come back for alumni weekends, I see how you interact with the student-athletes and how invested you are in them. We all appreciate that." – Carol Emanuel
"There are so many things that I can say, but the biggest thing on my heart is thank you. One of the best memories I had was standing on the podium in London and watching our nation's flag being raised, and to the right of me were all the John Purdue Club members who came to support all the Purdue athletes that were there. I think that shows the pride that Boilermaker Nation has for its athletes, and that is a direct result of your leadership." – David Boudia