Purdue’s Matt Painter receives distinguished alumni award

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Purdue University men’s basketball coach Matt Painter has another addition to his trophy case: the Purdue Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Meritorious Service.

Painter, who graduated from Purdue in 1994, received the award on Thursday home game against Eastern Illinois.

The award is the highest honor given by the Purdue Alumni Association, recognizing significant achievements and contributions to professions, communities, and the university. Painter is the 31st recipient of the award, joining a prestigious list that includes Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan.

Painter played four seasons for Purdue under longtime coach Gene Keady from 1990-93 before succeeding Keady as head coach in 2005. He ranks second on Purdue’s all-time wins list and has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year five times, a distinction shared by only two other coaches since the award’s inception in 1974.

In 2019, Painter was named National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Off the court, he is known for his charitable efforts, having raised over $200,000 for charity through the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge and $27,000 through the Coaches vs. Cancer T-Shirt Challenge.

Under Painter’s leadership, Purdue players have excelled academically, earning 94 Academic All-Big Ten honors, including two Academic All-Americans. His players have also been active in community service, participating in Special Olympics clinics, visiting local schools and hospitals, and supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In April 2026, Painter will receive the Legends of Coaching award as part of the John R. Wooden Award weekend in Los Angeles. Wooden graduated from Purdue, where he helped the Boilermakers win the 1932 national championship. He later coached UCLA to a record 10 national titles.

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