Hello and happy #FeatureFriday! This week we are getting to know Kyle Ingraham, former Football player at Purdue University. Kyle lettered in 2003, 2004, and 2005. He is currently ranked #4 All-Time at Purdue for most receiving yards in a game, and earned the Most Improved Offensive Player Award in the Spring 2004. College athletics have greatly impacted Kyle- read on for his take on it.
GamePlan: If you could sum up your college athletic experience in one word, what would it be? Kyle: Incredible
GamePlan: What is a lesson you learned while playing college athletics?
Kyle: The demands on your time are nothing compared to the lessons that you learn both in the classroom and off. Understanding that teamwork goes far beyond the field and that competitive drive that we all feel can do wonders for us off the field.
GamePlan: What is your favorite memory from playing college sports?
Kyle: By far my teammates. The success we had on the field was a direct correlation to the relationships we formed in the locker room. The community embraced us and made the whole experience unbelievable.
GamePlan: What is one of the hardest moments you had to get through while playing college sports?
Kyle: Injuries were by far the hardest thing for me. They didn’t directly impact me on the field but I didn’t handle them well off the field. As a young man I wasn’t quite aware of how those decisions would effect me down the road.
GamePlan: What is one of the hardest moments you had to get through while going through the recruiting process?
Kyle: Getting that first offer for me took a long time in today’s world. I was very fortunate to get a scholarship after my senior season. I just tried to be the best player I could for my high school team and hoped that would be enough. Getting exposure is a tricky thing sometimes.
GamePlan: What advice do you have for student-athletes who are trying to play at the collegiate level?
Kyle: Start taking care of your academics now. I was a college football coach for 10 years before my current career and I can tell you the first thing we look at is your academics. Next is character and then your ability.
GamePlan: So true!
GamePlan: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything? If so, what would you do differently?
Kyle: I can tell you the mistakes I made with my academics when I was injured were very embarrassing for me and my family but I wouldn’t change them because they helped shape me and ultimately led me to the life I have now. No amount of playing a game could replace my family.
GamePlan: What are you up to now?
Kyle: I had been a college football coach for the past 10 years and just changed careers to spend more time with my amazing family. Although very successful in my last job (Conference Championships, playoff berths, coaching and recruiting All-Americans) I desired to spend more time with my young family. My wife, my son who is 2 and my daughter who is a newborn. I live in my hometown and am raising my family near both sets of my kids' grandparents. I’ve never been happier (even more so than scoring TDs on Saturdays).
GamePlan: What role did athletics play in helping you get to where you are now?
Kyle: Athletics developed a sense of competition that has helped carry me through every phase in my life. I strived to be the best coach and now the best husband, father and medical salesman.
GamePlan: Anything else you’d like to share?
Kyle: College athletics at any level will help develop any young man or woman. So often people get so hung up on where to play they end up feeling too much pressure. Most athletes will go pro in something other than their sport so make sure you have that in mind when deciding where you want to graduate from.
Words of wisdom!! Thank you Kyle for your input! He touches on some very important aspects all aspiring college athletes should take into account. Have a great weekend and tune in next time!