Brian Cardinal

Before he became a fan favorite in West Lafayette, Ind., before there was a contest to give him a nick-name, Brian Cardinal questioned whether he could make the transition to big-time collegiate basketball from a small-town community of 2,600. The Tolono, Ill., native's success, Cardinal now ranks among Purdue's all-time leaders, is a testament to his unrelenting work ethic and intensity and should be an inspiration to those who have heard a parent say, "Work hard and you can be whatever you want."