WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller received the Order of the Griffin last Saturday night as part of President's Council Weekend in Naples, Fla.
The Order of the Griffin, one of the University's highest honors, is given to individuals whose commitment to the University go well beyond the call of duty, and whose strength and vision have greatly benefited the institution.
Tiller received the award from President France A. Córdova, who was joined during the presentation by athletics director Morgan Burke and New Orleans Saints and former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees.
"There are many people who say that Joe Tiller not only changed the football fortunes of Purdue, he changed the way is game is played in the Big Ten and made it more exciting than ever for our students and fans," Córdova said. "Joe, your accomplishments are not only in football victories but in developing young men who go on to be leaders in their communities and our nation."
Tiller, set to enter his 12th and final season as head coach, needs two victories to become Purdue's all-time winningest coach. His record is 83-54. Jack Mollenkopf won 84 games from 1956 to 1969.
Among past recipients of the Order of the Griffin are astronauts Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan, and Nobel Prize winner Herbert Brown.
