Dec. 26, 2006

PHOTO GALLERY

ORLANDO, Fla. - Before they were players Tuesday, members of the Purdue football team were role models.

The Boilermakers, along with players from Maryland, Arkansas and Wisconsin, spent two hours interacting with more than 200 physically, emotionally and financially challenged children at the Day for Kids event at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The players gave the children trinkets from their school - Purdue presented hats and pins - enjoyed lunch and played a wide variety of games, from field goal kicking and running an obstacle course to basketball, soccer and baseball pitching. There also was face painting, arts and crafts, and a hay ride. Players posed for photographs and signed autographs.

"It was a neat event," quarterback Curtis Painter. "You sometimes forget what an influence you can have on kids until you spend time with them, and something like this really puts everything in perspective. It was nice having all four teams there, so we could interact with the other players some, too."

Following the Day for Kids event, the Boilermakers bussed to Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium to take their team picture. Purdue was decked out its game-day white jerseys (with Champs Sports Bowl patch) and black pants.

Next up was practice, and the adjacent McCracken Field more resembled a swamp after rain fell Monday night and Tuesday morning. Maryland moved its practice inside at the University of Central Florida, so the Boilermakers took their Terrapins' original spot at Thunder Field on the other side of the Citrus Bowl. Purdue worked out from 3:30 to 5:10 p.m. under clearing skies and a temperature that dipped into the 50s.

"We looked like we took the day off Monday, which we did," head coach Joe Tiller said. "We've had our fun for the last few days, now it's time to tighten the screws and start getting focused for the game. We didn't have a very sharp practice today, and I expect that to change for the better tomorrow."

After practice, nearly a dozen players and coaches were interviewed by members of the Purdue and Orlando media.

On Wednesday, the Boilermakers are scheduled to work out from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Before that, Tiller, Painter and All-America defensive end Anthony Spencer will be interviewed for ESPN's broadcast of the Champs Sports Bowl, and Painter, Spencer, co-offensive coordinator Bill Legg and defensive coordinator Brock Spack will take part in a press conference at the Orlando Marriott Downtown.

The Boilermakers (8-5), who are playing in their ninth bowl game in 10 seasons under Tiller, take on Maryland (8-4) on Friday at 8 p.m. EST. Tickets are available by calling 494-3194 or 800-49-SPORT.

Arkansas and Wisconsin will square off in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.

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