This Is Purdue – Live from IND: Final Four and the Host City Experience
Date: April 3, 2026
Host: Kate Young
Guests: Ken Helpin (Purdue Athletics), Julie Rowe Lash (Pacers Sports & Entertainment)

Episode Overview

This episode of This Is Purdue broadcasts live from Indianapolis International Airport as excitement builds for the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Host Kate Young is joined by Ken Helpin from Purdue Athletics and Julie Rowe Lash, Executive Vice President of External Relations and Community Engagement for Pacers Sports & Entertainment. The conversation explores why Indianapolis excels at hosting major sporting events, the profound sports culture in Indiana, Purdue basketball’s recent achievements, and the intersection of community, culture, and collegiate athletics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indianapolis as a Premier Host City for Sports

• Economic Impact: Indianapolis is hosting its ninth men’s Final Four. The anticipated economic impact for this year is an estimated $400 million, a massive increase from $70 million in 2015. [01:54-02:55]
• Citywide Celebration: Indy integrates arts and culture into its sports events through festivals like "Swish," making the Final Four a unifying experience for the entire city. [01:54-02:55]

Notable Quote:
"These mega events are unifiers ... all of our partners have done a great job of making available free opportunities, whether it's fan fest or the concerts."
— Julie Rowe Lash [01:54]

2. Purdue’s Strong Connection to Indianapolis and Basketball Culture

• Urban Access: Proximity to Indy offers Purdue’s students, athletes, and alumni enormous advantages, both professionally and culturally. The city’s status as a sports capital builds opportunities and visibility for the university. [03:03-05:06]
• Purdue’s Legacy: The basketball program’s recent success under Coach Painter includes three consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances, breaking NCAA assist records, and record senior class wins—all during a transformative NIL era. [05:10-05:45]

Notable Quote:
"Indianapolis, I don't know of a city that takes more seriously the commitment to using sport to drive economic impact. And ... this city is the leader in advancing economic impact through women's sport."
— Ken Helpin [03:03]

3. Cultural Significance & Community Unification

• Epicenter of Sport: Indy is working toward its vision of becoming the epicenter of sport by 2050, with a notable emphasis on women’s athletics. Hosting the Final Four extends well beyond basketball, fostering city pride and inclusivity. [10:05-12:43]
• Role Models & Leadership: Guests highlight the integrity and character of Purdue staff and student-athletes as central to the program’s long-term success. [10:05-12:43]

Notable Quote:
"The people, first of all, I've seen Coach Painter ... he approaches committee work just as tenacious and shows up with integrity and on time and all the things you would expect of a true leader ... that's who he is."
— Julie Rowe Lash [11:22]

4. Purdue Basketball’s Identity and Future

• Loyalty and Development: Despite the challenges of modern collegiate sports, Purdue retains a culture of loyalty and developmental excellence, ensuring each step forward isn’t lost the following year. [05:45-08:09]
• Player Futures: Graduating seniors like Braden Smith, Fletcher Lawyer, and TKR are set for professional careers, with each player bringing unique skills and personalities that reflect Purdue’s values. [08:09-09:44]

Notable Quote:
"If you've ever met anyone in your entire life who's ever been associated with Purdue basketball, you know immediately they're not a jerk because it's not tolerated, it's not welcome."
— Ken Helpin [09:24]

5. Sports as a Connector and Force for Community Good

• Academic Programs: Purdue is expanding its academic footprint in sports management, motorsports engineering, and sports engineering, providing new opportunities for students and collaboration with local industry. [13:05-14:47]
• Community Initiatives: The Pacers and Fever leverage their platforms to address issues like food insecurity and homelessness. The city’s sports strategy aims to impact future generations by creating pathways through athletics. [14:47-16:02]

Notable Quote:
"His name's Jim Morris ... he used to always say, see every opportunity in its largest possible context. And I think that's what we are doing with sport."
— Julie Rowe Lash [15:26]

6. Events and Looking Forward

• Final Four Festivities: Guests share their anticipation for the weekend’s games, fan events, and social gatherings, reflecting on Indy’s unique ability to host four national champions in 36 hours. [16:09-16:57]
• Dreaming Bigger: Both guests advocate for even bigger future events, such as LPGA and PGA tournaments at Purdue, and hosting Olympic trial events in Indy, stressing the importance of leveraging existing assets and partnerships. [18:43-21:14]

Notable Quotes:
"What we would love to see come through Indiana via Purdue someday is potential major golf events ... LPGA, PGA events."
— Ken Helpin [18:43]

"I would love for us to continue on that global trajectory ... in terms of hosting a national team, USA Gymnastics Trials, USA Track and Field Finals ... see our Olympians off to go represent our country on the global stage."
— Julie Rowe Lash [20:07]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-01:09 — Introduction and guest welcome
• 01:54-02:55 — Economic and cultural impact of Final Four on Indy
• 03:03-05:06 — Purdue’s integration with Indianapolis and city’s sports culture
• 05:10-08:09 — Highlights and culture of Purdue basketball
• 08:09-09:44 — Reflections on graduating players and their futures
• 10:05-12:43 — National attention, city’s sports vision, coach and athlete character
• 13:05-16:02 — Sports as a community connector and driver of opportunity
• 16:09-16:57 — Events and anticipation for the weekend's activities
• 18:43-21:14 — Future event aspirations and innovative hosting ideas

Memorable Moments & Quotes

"These mega events are unifiers ... it is such a fun time and a unifying time for our city."
— Julie Rowe Lash [01:54]

"You won't find better human beings in the country than our staff ... The way they treat human beings is second to none."
— Ken Helpin [09:24]

"It’s about opportunity and access relative to the community ... the real, the largest possible context and opportunity here is about how do we bring people together and then move forward collectively."
— Julie Rowe Lash [14:47, 15:46]

Tone and Takeaway

Upbeat, genuine, and deeply proud of both Purdue University and Indianapolis, the conversation is marked by personal anecdotes, professional admiration, and community pride. Both guests celebrate sporting events as engines for community building, economic growth, and cultural vibrancy, while also casting a hopeful vision for even greater achievements — on the court, in the city, and beyond.

“In 49 other states, it’s just basketball, but this is Indiana. Boiler up.”
— Kate Young [21:14]

For fans and listeners, this episode delivers a rich, inside look at how passionate leadership and community partnership have made Indianapolis a model for sports hosting — and how Purdue University continues to lead, inspire, and innovate as part of that legacy.