JUST IN: Legendary Coach Reportedly Getting His Own Beer after him
Cheers to the Boilermakers! An Indiana brewery is paying tribute to legendary Purdue basketball coach Gene Keady by crafting a beer in his honor. The Journal & Courier broke the news on Friday.
Sun King Brewery, with six locations in Indiana and one in Florida, is developing the brew to celebrate one of college basketball’s most iconic coaches. Specific details about the beer are still limited, as the project is in its early stages.
Keady coached Purdue from 1980 to 2005, achieving a 512-270 record during his tenure in West Lafayette. Under his leadership, the Boilermakers won six Big Ten regular season championships and made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year seven times and earned the title of National Coach of the Year six times.
According to the Journal & Courier, Indiana Sen. Ron Alting played a key role in bringing this idea to life, noting that Keady had previously shown interest in having his own beer.
“The week after next, I’m taking him down to Sun King,” Alting said. “We’ll do a tasting to see what the coach and his wife like and get the process started.”
Keady has received numerous accolades in recent years, including his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Although it’s been two decades since Keady coached the Boilermakers, he remains closely connected to the program. He was with the team during their run to the National Championship Game this past season.
“To be a Hall of Fame coach and accomplish all that he did, helping so many people, yet never reaching that Final Four — it was meaningful for him to be a part of that,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said. “This is his program. We have to honor that.
“He contributed so much to Purdue, our community, and our basketball program. To share that experience with him, our players, and our fans was truly special. It’s one of the highlights of my career.”
Keady remains one of the most cherished figures in Purdue sports history. This beer will be a unique and enjoyable way to celebrate his legacy in West Lafayette.