August 1, 1999

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue women's basketball player Tiffany Young died in a tragic car accident in Gary, Ind., last night, Saturday, July 31. The Hillsboro, Ala., native was 21 years old.

Reports from the Gary Post-Tribune say Young was a passenger in a car occupied by three people that was hit by a drunk driver at approximately 9:30 p.m. The driver of the offending vehicle, who is now in the custody of the Gary Police Department, was reported as having a blood-alcohol content of .30. The driver and another passenger in Young's vehicle are still hospitalized, as are the two passengers from the offending vehicle. There were no other fatalities.

Specifics of the accident have not been released, but the Post-Tribune is reporting that Young's vehicle was hit on the passenger side as it was turning onto a main road. Young, who was in the passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Young reportedly was with her boyfriend, also a Purdue student, visiting his family in Gary. It has also been reported that the accident occurred just as Young, her boyfriend and the other passenger were returning to West Lafayette, where Young was enrolled in summer school classes. The identity of the third passenger is not known.

Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke, who is attending Big Ten Conference meetings in Chicago, made the following statement:

"Tiffany, from day one at Purdue, was the epitome of a Purdue student-athlete. She was bright, articulate, compassionate and competitive. This sudden and tragic event at this time of her young life is indescribable and leaves the Purdue family in shock.

"Today it is hard to find a silver lining, but Tiffany's spirit dictates that in the days ahead we will make that effort. We will do our best to support Tiffany's family in the same positive manner that characterized her life."

Head basketball coach Kristy Curry said: "The Purdue women's basketball family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our deepest thoughts go out to the victims of this terrible accident, especially the Young family. Words can not express how dearly we will miss Tiffany. She was more than special and she stood for everything that was right in this world."

"Tiffany was a model person, student and athlete, and I am very proud that she chose to attend school and play basketball at Purdue," senior associate athletic director Joni Comstock said. "I'll always remember her smile, her energy and her love for her family, friends and basketball. She was loyal and strong for us in the toughest of times. Now, in our loss, we will be strong for her family and teammates. In our hearts and minds Tiffany will always represent the best of what Purdue stands for."

Young would have been a senior for the Boilermakers this season. The 5-11 guard was a member of Purdue's 1999 NCAA national championship team and won two Big Ten regular season championships (1997 and '99) and two Big Ten Tournament titles (1998 and '99), as well. Young averaged 3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in her three-year career and started all 33 games during the 1997-98 season. Her career-highs were 16 points (twice, last at Florida International, Nov. 27, 1997) and seven rebounds (at Ball State, Dec. 8, 1996). The physical therapy major was named Academic All-Big Ten last season.

Young was a standout at East Lawrence High School. She was a first team all-state selection and named one of the top five players in Alabama following her senior season. She finished her prep career with 2,611 points. Young also competed in track and field and set Alabama Class 4A state records in the high jump and triple jump.

Young is the oldest daughter of Gloria and Billy Ray Young. She has two sisters, Kim and Jessica.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Young's Purdue teammates will not be available for comment but plan on releasing a statement in the near future.

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