When the night sky darkened and I glanced at my phone, a text from former Purdue player and radio analyst Ralph Taylor came through. It informed me that Frank Kendrick had passed away on December 18th at 7:52 pm. Given the recent reports from his family, we were aware that this day was approaching, yet we had hoped it wouldn't be so soon. Frank Kendrick, who was 74 years old, had been battling relatively recently diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease and a more recent bout with stomach cancer. These details are essential when documenting one's life, but they were just that - details that Kendrick would have likely brushed off. The Frank Kendrick I knew before my teenage years was not one to focus on such minutiae. Being alive and full of life was the only detail that seemed to matter to him. Few people I have ever encountered have been as alive as Frank Kendrick. Sometimes overly exuberant, but always alive. And that is precisely why he is one of the more beloved figures in the recent history of Purdue athletics.

Remembering Frank Kendrick - A Purdue Athletics Legend

Early Years at Purdue

Frank Kendrick arrived at Purdue in 1970 from Tech H.S. in Indianapolis. Recruited by assistant coach Bob King after an Indiana All-Star caliber high school career, Kendrick initially faced a setback as he was ineligible to play on the freshman team in his first year. It was two years before freshmen were eligible for varsity action. As King would later recount, it was a difficult time for Kendrick. Despite not being an honor student, graduating from Purdue was one of the proudest moments for his parents. Kendrick had a distinct personality and knew it well. He had a friendly, almost overly friendly, swagger. Developing this personality, along with All-Big Ten level skills as a player, led him to become a leader. It wasn't always an easy journey.Even at the age of 72, Kendrick could still hold his own on the court. Just over 17 months ago, he scored the first basket in the alumni game. His relationship with King demonstrated the meaning of loyalty through thick and thin. King, with his signature crew cut, and Kendrick, with his flamboyant style - one of the first people to be seen with a man purse and a car phone in the 1970s - couldn't have been more different. But this relationship taught Kendrick how to get along with everyone and trust them, which served him well throughout his life. King had a talent for making those around him feel important, a trait that Kendrick saw in King and took to a higher level.

College Basketball Career

Standing at 6-foot-6, Kendrick was a formidable player. Known as a strong "cornerman" in those days, he could run the floor, rebound with the best of them, and had a scorer's mentality. Many of his teammates, who remained extremely close to him for the next 50 years, would sometimes remind him that he never hesitated to take a shot. He was the captain of the best Purdue team that didn't make the NCAA Tournament. In his senior year of 1973-74, the NCAA consisted of only 25 teams, and only the Big Ten conference title holder qualified for the Big Dance. Despite being in the league race until the end, Purdue finished third behind IU and the champion Michigan and was relegated to the NIT. However, to win the title, Purdue made the most of it, winning four straight games in New York, including an upset of No. 8 North Carolina in the opening round. The team was loaded with all-time assists leader Bruce Parkinson, All-Big Ten center John Garrett, and role players like Jerry Nichols. Purdue ranked 11th in the final AP poll under coach Fred Schaus. Kendrick earned all-tournament honors, which helped launch his NBA career.While he only spent a half-season on the active roster with the Warriors, he earned an NBA title ring. No one on Earth got more out of winning an NBA crown than Kendrick. He was immensely proud of this accomplishment. The sartorially resplendent Kendrick, holding his 1974 team MVP trophy, is pictured here with teammates (from left) Randy Shields, Dick Satterfield, Bruce Parkinson, and John Garrett. The close relationship between Kendrick and his teammates remained strong for the past 50 years.

Life After Purdue

Kendrick played for nearly a decade overseas, where he met his wife Mieke. From what I observed, she brought out the best in him. She and their four children - Kristof, Melanie (Mimi), and Emeil - were the apple of Frank's eye and have done well, remaining extremely loyal to their father.When Kendrick returned in 1990 to join Coach Gene Keady's staff, he was brought in as a recruiter. He had immediate success, helping land Cuonzo Martin and McDonald's All-American and eventual national player-of-the-year Glenn Robinson. Like Kendrick, Robinson had to sit out his freshman year due to Prop 48 rules, forging a strong bond between them. Kendrick played a role in bringing in the talent that led to Purdue's "Three-Pete" Big Ten title run from 1994-96 and also helped secure the talented freshman class of Jaraan Cornell, Mike Robinson, and Gary McQuay.However, things weren't always smooth for Kendrick as a Purdue assistant. He ran afoul of NCAA rules in the late 1990s, putting Purdue on probation and ultimately costing him his job on the Boilermaker bench. It was a long and bitter process for both Kendrick and Purdue. When they finally parted ways, it was a difficult time for Kendrick, causing a rift between his beloved alma mater and him for over a decade. Credit goes to coach Matt Painter and his staff for welcoming Kendrick back into the fold. This, along with his enduring relationship and loyalty to King, who passed away in 2013, helped mend the relationship.From a Purdue perspective, this was the right thing to do. Kendrick returned to being a beloved figure for fans of all ages, often holding court in the hallway of Mackey Arena during games and reunions. He was in his element among Boilermakers of all ages, shapes, and sizes.Kendrick's induction into the Purdue Hall of Fame in 2018 was one of the happiest days of his life. Things had come full circle. Purdue will miss Kendrick's spark, loyalty, and remarkable optimism. I have met only a few people with these endearing traits and who could showcase them in every public situation.RIP Frank, and condolences to your loving family during this transition.More: Our 2020 Arni's Birthday Zoom with Frank Kendrick