HAMMOND, Ind.  - Purdue University Calumet will induct five individuals into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame at a ceremony during Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Nov. 7. The 2009 inductees include former standouts Ed Blackmon, LeeAnn DeYoung and Rod Weingart as well as legendary coach Larry Liddle and former athletic director Bob Hayes.

“This is a great time to celebrate five of the most distinguished individuals in Purdue Calumet athletic history,” said athletic director Bob Bunnell. “We have the chance to honor arguably the university’s greatest basketball and soccer players as well as two pioneers of the athletic program, all while moving on to the next chapter of PUC with the expansion of our athletics program.”

2009 Inductees

Ed Blackmon – Men’s Basketball (1981-1983)

Blackmon helped put Purdue Calumet basketball in the national spotlight, after the program’s reemergence in 1981. The Gary, Ind. native led Purdue Calumet to a 38-17 in his two seasons at the school, helping the team earn consecutive NAIA Tournament berths. Blackmon recorded two of the top six scoring seasons in school history, racking up 1,034points at Purdue Calumet. The 6-foot-4 forward garnered back-to-back NAIA Honorable Mention All-American honors, while also receiving NAIA District 21 First Team recognition following the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons.

Lee Ann DeYoung – Women’s Basketball (1984-1988)

DeYoung closed out her collegiate career as the most distinguished athlete in the program’s history, after becoming the only player in school history, men or women, to break the 2,000-point plateau with 2,592 points in her career. The three-time All-American center earned three NAIA District 21 Player-of-the-Year honors, while being tabbed as the NAIA National Player of the Week twice during her time at PUC. DeYoung holds nearly every major scoring and rebounding record at Purdue Calumet., averaging 24.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game over the course of her career.

Bob Hayes – Athletic Director/Coach (1952-1989)

Hayes is considered the father of Purdue Calumet athletics, as his efforts proved to be instrumental in helping start the university’s baseball and basketball programs in the early 1950’s. The long-time administrator spent 37 years working with Purdue Calumet’s athletic program, serving in such roles as athletic director, coach, official statistician as well as a member of the NAIA District 21 Executive committee. Hayes is a two-time recipient of the Purdue Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service Award, an award which has been renamed in his honor.

Larry Liddle – Men’s Basketball (1981-2000)

Liddle has cemented himself as the best men’s basketball coach in school history, topping the school’s all-time mark with 280 career victories in his 19 seasons as the helm of the program. The Lawrenceburg, Ind. native was a two-time CCAC Coach-of-the-Year selection while earning NAIA District 21 Coach-of-the-Year honors following the 1985-86 season. Liddle guided Purdue Calumet to its only three Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference championships, while helping the team make multiple postseason appearances.

Rod Weingart – Baseball/Basketball/Soccer (1969-1972)

Weingart finished his career as one of the most successful three-sport athletes in Purdue Calumet history. His career awards are highlighted by his recognition in the Outstanding Collegiate Athlete of America publication. The former goalkeeper garnered two Indiana Collegiate All-State honors, while also being named the 1972 Indiana-Ohio All-Star Game Most Valuable Player. Weingart’s continued his soccer career after his graduation from Purdue Calumet, as he was drafted by the Indiana Tigers of the American Soccer Association. He led the baseball team in hitting from his catcher position, while also spending a season on the men’s basketball squad.

The PUC Athletics Hall of Fame was founded in 2008 with the induction of longtime athletic director and Purdue Calumet supporter John Friend.

The Peregrines’ third class of inductees will be honored at the halftime of the men’s basketball game against Indiana Northwest on Nov. 7.