Matt Painter (LA’94), the L. Dick Buell Men’s Basketball Head Coach, has been presented with the Purdue Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award for Meritorious Service. The award, which represents the highest honor given by the association, recognizes individuals for their significant achievements and contributions to their professions, communities, and the university.
The presentation ceremony took place during a home game against Eastern Illinois on Friday, November 28.
Painter is the 31st person to receive the award since it was created in 1946 and the first to receive it since 1999—when legendary Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong (AAE’55, HDR E’70) and Eugene Cernan (ECE’56, HDR’70) were recognized. Previous honorees also include John Wooden (HHS’32, HDR HHS’75) and Red Mackey (A’29).
Painter played four seasons for longtime coach Gene Keady from 1990 to 1993, then succeeded Keady as head coach in 2005. Painter, who now stands second on the school’s all-time wins list, is a five-time Big Ten Coach of the Year—making him one of only three coaches to win the award at least five times since its inception in 1974. He was named the National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in 2019.
Off the court, Painter prioritizes philanthropy and the development of student-athletes. He has raised more than $200,000 for charity through the Infiniti Coaches’ Charity Challenge and $27,000 through the Coaches vs. Cancer T-Shirt Challenge. Teaming with his wife, Sherry, Painter has also been active in raising money for cancer awareness.
Under Painter’s leadership, 48 players have earned a combined 94 Academic All-Big Ten honors—including two who were named as Academic All-Americans. Over the years, his players have participated in Special Olympics clinics, visited local elementary schools and hospitals, devoted time to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and hosted shopping sprees for disadvantaged families.
