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2025-26 Purdue Athletics Season in Review2025-26 Purdue Athletics Season in Review

2025-26 Purdue Athletics Season in Review

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University Athletics enjoyed another successful year in 2025-26, highlighted by deep postseason runs, Big Ten Conference titles, and continued excellence in the classroom.

Boilermaker teams competed on some of college athletics' biggest stages while student-athletes and coaches earned numerous conference and national honors.

Across the university’s 18 varsity sports, Purdue Athletics amassed five Top 25 team finishes, 29 All-Americans, three individual Big Ten champions, one Big Ten Tournament title, 50 All-Big Ten selections and 204 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.

Men's Basketball

Men's Basketball

Dick Buell Men’s Basketball Head Coach Matt Painter led the Boilermakers to a third Big Ten Tournament championship and a second Elite Eight appearance in three years, finishing 30-9 for the third 30-win season in program history. The Purdue senior class, shepherded by the trio of Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith, finished their careers with a 117-32 career record, setting the school record for most wins by a senior class. The Purdue men’s basketball team finished ranked No. 6 in the final Associated Press poll.

Volleyball

Volleyball

The Purdue volleyball team defied national expectations and went 27-7 (15-5 Big Ten), breaking through to the NCAA Regional Finals for the third time in the past six seasons. The previously unheralded roster, which returned just 7.5% of its offense from 2024, produced a program record five All-Big Ten honorees and a record 10 wins vs. ranked opponents. Art and Connie Euler Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Dave Shondell finished the season tied with men’s basketball legend Gene Keady as the winningest head coach in Purdue Athletics history (512 wins).

Baseball

Baseball

The Purdue baseball program recorded one of the best seasons in school history, finishing tied for fifth in the Big Ten for its highest finish since 2018. The Boilermakers’ 37 wins tied for the third-most in team history. In his seventh year at the helm, head coach Greg Goff led the baseball Boilers to six straight Big Ten series victories, Purdue’s longest such streak since 2012. The baseball team had three All-Big Ten honorees and two ABCA All-Midwest Region selections.

Football

Football

After overseeing a massive roster overhaul in his first few months in West Lafayette, head coach Barry Odom completed his first season as the new leader of Purdue football. Seven Boilermakers earned all-conference accolades, including Third Team All-Big Ten linebacker Mani Powell, who joined Coach Odom from UNLV and became the first Boilermaker in history to lead the Big Ten in tackling in conference games. Entering the 2026 campaign, Coach Odom and his staff brought in a portal class that ranked Top 25 nationally and fourth in the Big Ten Conference.

A detailed snapshot of department-wide accomplishments from 2025-26 is available below.

TEAM ATHLETIC SUCCESS

  • Men’s Basketball – reached Elite Eight
  • Volleyball – reached NCAA Regional Final
  • Men’s Golf – reached NCAA Championships (third straight season, longest streak in the Big Ten)
  • Women’s Golf – reached NCAA Regional (11th straight season)
  • Men’s Swimming & Diving – 11 NCAA qualifiers
  • Men’s Outdoor Track & Field – 6 NCAA qualifiers
  • Wrestling – 4 NCAA qualifiers
  • Women’s Swimming & Diving – 3 NCAA qualifiers
  • Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – 3 NCAA qualifiers
  • Men’s Indoor Track & Field – 2 NCAA qualifiers

Men’s Basketball

  • Big Ten Tournament (third in program history)
  • Baha Mar Championship

Men’s Golf

  • Purdue Fall Invitational 

Women’s Golf

  • Coach Mo Classic
  • No. 6 – Men’s Basketball (Associated Press)
  • No. 8 – Volleyball (AVCA)
  • No. 21 – Women’s Swimming & Diving (NCAA Championships)
  • No. 23 – Men’s Golf (NCAA Championships)
  • No. 23 – Men’s Outdoor Track & Field (NCAA Championships)
  • No. 29 – Men’s Swimming & Diving (NCAA Championships)
  • No. 29 – Wrestling (NCAA Championships)
  • No. 3 – Women’s Golf
  • No. 3 – Volleyball
  • No. 5 – Baseball
  • No. 6 – Men’s Basketball (tournament champions)
  • No. 6 – Men’s Cross Country
  • No. 6 – Men’s Swimming & Diving
  • No. 6 – Men’s Golf

INDIVIDUAL ATHLETIC SUCCESS

NCAA Silver Medalists (2)

      • Tyler Wills (Men’s Diving) | Platform
      • Daryn Wright (Women’s Diving) | Platform

First Team (8)

      • Braden Smith (Men’s Basketball)
      • Victory Achakpoekri (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 4x400m
      • Praise Aniamaka (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 400m
      • Jax Coleman (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 4x400m
      • Zyan Greene (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 4x400m
      • Samuel Vessat (Men’s Indoor T&F) | 400m
      • Samuel Vessat (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 400m
      • Samuel Vessat (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | 4x400m

Second Team (8)

      • Moriah Polar (Softball)
      • Seamus Malaski (Men’s Indoor T&F) | Weight Throw
      • Seamus Malaski (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | Hammer Throw
      • Seamus Malaski (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | Shot Put
      • Amarianna Lofton (Women’s Outdoor T&F) | High Jump
      • Alexia Smith (Women’s Outdoor T&F) | 400m
      • Taylor Anderson (Volleyball)
      • Kenna Wollard (Volleyball)

Third Team (1)

      • Grace Heaney (Volleyball)

NCAA 6th Place (1)

      • Joey Blaze (Wrestling) | 165 lbs.

Honorable Mention (8)

      • Nathaniel Grannis (Men’s Diving) | Platform
      • Holden Higbie (Men’s Diving) | Platform
      • Max Miller (Men’s Diving) | 3-Meter
      • Zach Welsh (Men’s Diving) | 1-Meter
      • Avery Worobel (Women’s Diving) | 1-Meter
      • Daryn Wright (Women’s Diving) | 3-Meter
      • Chidozie Kalu (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | Triple Jump
      • Britannie Johnson (Women’s Outdoor T&F) | Shot Put

Freshman All-America (1)

      • Anna Moore (Softball)
    • Praise Aniamaka (Men’s Outdoor T&F) | Triple Jump
    • Max Miller (Men’s Diving) | 1-Meter
    • Avery Worobel (Women’s Diving) | 3-Meter
    • 18 from Cross Country / Track & Field
    • 7 from Football
    • 7 from Softball
    • 5 from Volleyball
    • 3 from Baseball
    • 2 from Men’s Basketball
    • 2 from Women’s Golf
    • 2 from Men’s Swimming & Diving
    • 2 from Women’s Swimming & Diving
    • 1 from Men’s Golf
    • 1 from Soccer
    • David Boudia (Diving) | Big Ten Men’s Diving Coach of the Year
    • Kathy Jewell (Volleyball) | AVCA National Assistant Coach of the Year
    • Tyler Wills (Men’s Diving) | Big Ten Diver of the Year
    • 11 from Men’s Swimming & Diving
    • 7 from Volleyball
    • 5 from Cross Country / Track & Field
    • 5 from Women’s Golf
    • 5 from Softball
    • 4 from Soccer
    • 4 from Women’s Swimming & Diving
    • 3 from Men’s Basketball
    • 3 from Wrestling
    • 1 from Baseball
    • 1 from Women’s Basketball
    • 1 from Football
    • 1 from Men’s Golf

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

    • Spring semester GPA of 3.22, tied for the second-highest cumulative GPA for a spring semester in school history
    • First non-COVID era semester in which every Purdue team’s semester and cumulative GPA were above 3.0
    • Trey Kaufman-Renn (Men’s Basketball)
    • Daryn Wright (Women’s Diving)
    • 39 from Cross Country / Track & Field
    • 27 from Women’s Swimming & Diving
    • 23 from Football
    • 22 from Men’s Swimming & Diving
    • 20 from Baseball
    • 17 from Wrestling
    • 8 from Men’s Basketball
    • 8 from Softball
    • 7 from Men’s Golf
    • 7 from Women’s Golf
    • 7 from Soccer
    • 7 from Volleyball
    • 5 from Women’s Tennis
    • 4 from Men’s Tennis
    • 3 from Women’s Basketball
    • Aaron Manias (Baseball) | Second Team
    • Haley Painter (Softball) | Third Team

Potentially one more, Joey Blaze (Wrestling), to be announced Wednesday, July 8.

    • 7 from Cross Country / Track & Field
    • 6 from Football
    • 5 from Baseball
    • 5 from Soccer
    • 5 from Softball
    • 4 from Men’s Swimming & Diving
    • 4 from Women’s Swimming & Diving
    • 3 from Wrestling
    • 2 from Women’s Golf
    • 2 from Women’s Tennis
    • 1 from Women’s Basketball
    • 1 from Men’s Tennis
    • 1 from Volleyball

BROADCASTING SUCCESS

Broadcasting awards were given to Purdue's B1G+ streaming team for the 2025 calendar year.

2 Finalists for National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Central Great Lakes Chapter

    • Indiana at Purdue Wrestling – Jan. 18, 2025
    • Indiana at Purdue Softball – May 2, 2025

Finalist for BEA Festival for Media Arts in the Video Live Game Production category

    • Indiana at Purdue Wrestling – Jan. 18, 2025

Finalist for Sports Video Group – Outstanding Live Game Production

    • Minnesota at Purdue Softball – April 6, 2025

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS

  • Purdue Athletics raised more than $16.1 million through 2,569 gifts on April 29 to support Boilermaker student-athletes across all 18 sport programs.
  • This total marked the highest amount ever raised by Purdue Athletics on Purdue Day of Giving, surpassing the previous record of $13 million set in 2024.
  • Support from Boilermaker fans, alumni and donors helped Purdue Athletics continue investing in the resources needed to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics.
  • Purdue University saw strong participation across campus, generating more than $95.4 million through 34,453 gifts during the university-wide Purdue Day of Giving.
  • For the fifth consecutive year, the John Purdue Club provided the resources necessary to cover the full cost of attendance for Purdue student-athletes.
  • Annual fund support surpassed $20 million for the first time in Purdue Athletics history, setting a new department record and exceeding the previous high of $17.5 million. This support provides critical resources for scholarships, academic support, student-athlete development and competitive excellence across all 18 sport programs.
  • During the 2025-26 academic year, Purdue’s 474 student-athletes combined for a 3.25 cumulative GPA, reflecting continued excellence in the classroom.
  • Purdue Football recorded its highest-ever average team GPA at 3.32, highlighting the academic commitment of Boilermaker student-athletes across one of the department’s largest rosters.
  • Boilermaker student-athletes earned 203 Academic All-Big Ten honors during the 2025-26 academic year.
  • Purdue student-athletes also continued to prepare for life after competition, achieving a 100% job placement rate while completing more than 2,000 servant leadership hours through student-athlete development programming.
  • Beyond annual scholarship support, Purdue Athletics secured nearly $60 million in commitments toward strategic priorities designed to elevate the student-athlete experience and strengthen the department’s long-term competitive position.
  • These commitments support facility enhancements, sport-specific priorities, student-athlete wellness, performance resources and transformational projects across Purdue Athletics.
  • Major areas of investment include continued support for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, team travel, leadership development and other resources that directly impact Boilermaker student-athletes.
  • Projects such as the sports medicine renovation reflect Purdue Athletics’ commitment to providing student-athletes with the care, training and recovery resources needed to perform at their best.
  • Donor investment continues to play a critical role in helping Purdue Athletics respond to the changing landscape of college athletics while maintaining a first-class experience for Boilermaker student-athletes.
251213_QN_VB_PITT_115Taylor Anderson, Kenna Wollard and Dior Charles attend an event
260220_cly_mbb_indiana_5385Braden Smith, CJ Cox, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer are seen at the Purdue Men's Basketball game vs Indiana at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Chris Lyons/Purdue Athletics
260520_cly_bsb_btt_illinois_1828-2Aaron Manias is seen at the Purdue Baseball B1G Tournament Game 2 vs. Illinois at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, NE on Wednesday, May. 20, 2026. Chris Lyons/Purdue Athletics
251009_QN_SWIM_DROSS_191Purdue Swim and Dive at Dan Ross Indiana Intercollegiate at Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Quan Nguyen/Purdue Athletics
260215_QN_WR_IOWA_013 (3)Joey Blaze attends an event
260214_cly_wbb_rutgers_2634Madison Layden-Zay is seen at the Purdue Women's Basketball game vs. Rutgers at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Chris Lyons/Purdue Athletics
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250902_cly_wg_boilermakerclassic_1220Samantha Brown is seen at Purdue Women's Golf Boilermaker Classic at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, IN on Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025. Chris Lyons/Purdue Athletics
251108_cly_fb_ohiost_1124Mani Powell is seen at the Purdue Football game vs. Ohio State at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Chris Lyons/Purdue Athletics
250928_QN_WSOC_080Purdue Soccer vs. Washington at Folk FIeld in West Lafayette, IN on Sunday, Sep. 28, 2025. Quan Nguyen/Purdue Athletics
Purdue Dive Meet - Big Ten Triple DuelsTyler Wills Purdue Dive Meet at Home in West Lafayette, IN on Friday January 30th, 2026
Purdue Women's Tennis vs. NebraskaEce Gencer Purdue Women's Tennis vs. Nebraska at Schwartz Tennis Center on March 28th, 2026 Aaron Behnfeldt/Purdue Athletics
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260425_QN_SB_NU_079Anna Moore attends an event
Purdue Men's Tennis vs. WisconsinNour Fathalla Purdue Men's Tennis vs. Wisconsin at Schwartz Tennis Center on April 12th, 2026 Aaron Behnfeldt/Purdue Athletics