Paul Leaf was named assistant director for student-athlete development July 28, 2021.
Leaf is responsible for implementing the leadership initiative created from the strategic plan (John Wooden Leadership). He works with teams on goal setting, team chemistry, attitude, personal accountability and team builders and breakers as well as lead the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Leaf provides career and personal counseling, orientation, and personal development programs to student-athletes and builds strong relationships with companies and partnerships to provide experiential and employment opportunities. Leaf also coordinates the Empower Internship program by overseeing application processing, student communication, program assessment, policies, practices, and delivery.
Leaf came to Purdue from Traders Point Christian High School, where he served as athletics director in 2020.
Before his appointment as athletics director at Traders Point Christian, Leaf worked at Lafayette Jefferson High School as assistant athletics director (2014-20). His other experiences include time at California State University, Fullerton as an assistant for game day media relations and Rec sports lead supervisor at California State University, Long Beach. He completed internships with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Rose Bowl Premium Seating and the Los Angeles Kings. Leaf started his intercollegiate career in 2012 as a graduate assistant for the Men’s Basketball team at California State University, Long Beach.
Leaf earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education in 2010 from Purdue University and his master’s degree in sport management in 2014, from California State University, Long Beach.
Leaf and his wife, Danielle, both hold degrees from Purdue University and have one son, Owen.
Leaf is responsible for implementing the leadership initiative created from the strategic plan (John Wooden Leadership). He works with teams on goal setting, team chemistry, attitude, personal accountability and team builders and breakers as well as lead the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Leaf provides career and personal counseling, orientation, and personal development programs to student-athletes and builds strong relationships with companies and partnerships to provide experiential and employment opportunities. Leaf also coordinates the Empower Internship program by overseeing application processing, student communication, program assessment, policies, practices, and delivery.
Leaf came to Purdue from Traders Point Christian High School, where he served as athletics director in 2020.
Before his appointment as athletics director at Traders Point Christian, Leaf worked at Lafayette Jefferson High School as assistant athletics director (2014-20). His other experiences include time at California State University, Fullerton as an assistant for game day media relations and Rec sports lead supervisor at California State University, Long Beach. He completed internships with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Rose Bowl Premium Seating and the Los Angeles Kings. Leaf started his intercollegiate career in 2012 as a graduate assistant for the Men’s Basketball team at California State University, Long Beach.
Leaf earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education in 2010 from Purdue University and his master’s degree in sport management in 2014, from California State University, Long Beach.
Leaf and his wife, Danielle, both hold degrees from Purdue University and have one son, Owen.