The strength to be there: Rock family battles son’s illness

Jack Rock, son of Purdue football strength coach Nate Rock, celebrates being leukemia-free two and a half years after his diagnosis.

October 7, 2026 Purdue Athletics

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Purdue University is the home of the Boilermakers, “Hail Purdue” and the old gold and black. Purdue has built a proud tradition across more than a century of intercollegiate athletics competition, consistently producing championship-caliber teams and individual competitors. From 10-time Olympic gold medalist Ray Ewry in the early 1900s to Annie Drews, who led the U.S. volleyball team to gold in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Purdue athletes display excellence not only in Big Ten competition, but on the global stage.

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