John Nine, Longtime Purdue Basketball Supporter, Passes Away
5/2/2020 10:00:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball
The retired pharmacist, Army veteran and fixture at Mackey Arena was 84
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - John Nine, longtime supporter of Purdue Athletics and men's basketball, passed away April 30 at the age of 84.
Nine was a passionate supporter of the basketball program and a trusted companion of both Coach Painter and Coach Keady. He took pride in mentoring student-athletes and assisting them with career and internship placements.
"We are so incredibly grateful to have had John as a friend, supporter and member of the Purdue community. The accomplishments of our basketball program would not have been possible without his support over the years. We will miss his friendly and kind presence in so many ways," said Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.
John and his wife Janet have been John Purdue Club members since 1981. They made the lead gift for the 2016 Mackey Lights Project, which allowed for the installation of new LED lights that can be turned on and off quickly during pregame player introductions, a new main scoreboard, LED ribbon boards and larger video-capable hustle boards that enhanced the in-game atmosphere that the family feels so strongly about. They were the first to endow an out-of-state scholarship as members of the JPC's Brees Leadership level.
To acknowledge their generosity, the J.Nine Club in Mackey Arena was named and turned into a focal point of the gameday experience. John and Janet have also made philanthropic contributions to many other areas of Purdue's campus, including the School of Pharmacy from which John graduated in 1963 and received an honorary doctorate in 1983.
"The Purdue Basketball family is saddened by the loss of John Nine. John was a loyal friend and supporter of our program for many years and his contributions helped play a significant role in the advancement of our footprint. John will be dearly missed and we send our condolences to the Nine family," said L. Dick Buell men's basketball head coach Matt Painter.
In 2002, John and Janet endowed a men's basketball scholarship. Past recipients include Ryan Cline, Rapheal Davis, Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson, JaJuan Johnson and Dakota Mathias.
After a 26-year executive career in pharmaceuticals with Schering Plough, John retired in 2001. He was most recently the president of IMO consulting which he founded to service the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, John was an adjunct professor of industrial and physical pharmacy at Purdue and a member of the pharmacy dean's industrial advisory council. Originally from Warsaw, Indiana, he spent time in Washington D.C. as a Senate page as well as serving in the Army as a pharmacist.
John is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Janet, as well as two daughters, Jenna Wright '92 (Chip '93) and Janelle Guidry (Richard), and his beloved grandchildren: CJ ('23), Emma, Molly, Max and Ben.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be directed to the renovation of the basketball locker rooms. In recognition of the family's legacy, the fund supporting Purdue basketball will be renamed "The John Nine Fund for Purdue Basketball Excellence."
A celebration of life is planned for the future.
Nine was a passionate supporter of the basketball program and a trusted companion of both Coach Painter and Coach Keady. He took pride in mentoring student-athletes and assisting them with career and internship placements.
"We are so incredibly grateful to have had John as a friend, supporter and member of the Purdue community. The accomplishments of our basketball program would not have been possible without his support over the years. We will miss his friendly and kind presence in so many ways," said Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.
John and his wife Janet have been John Purdue Club members since 1981. They made the lead gift for the 2016 Mackey Lights Project, which allowed for the installation of new LED lights that can be turned on and off quickly during pregame player introductions, a new main scoreboard, LED ribbon boards and larger video-capable hustle boards that enhanced the in-game atmosphere that the family feels so strongly about. They were the first to endow an out-of-state scholarship as members of the JPC's Brees Leadership level.
To acknowledge their generosity, the J.Nine Club in Mackey Arena was named and turned into a focal point of the gameday experience. John and Janet have also made philanthropic contributions to many other areas of Purdue's campus, including the School of Pharmacy from which John graduated in 1963 and received an honorary doctorate in 1983.
"The Purdue Basketball family is saddened by the loss of John Nine. John was a loyal friend and supporter of our program for many years and his contributions helped play a significant role in the advancement of our footprint. John will be dearly missed and we send our condolences to the Nine family," said L. Dick Buell men's basketball head coach Matt Painter.
In 2002, John and Janet endowed a men's basketball scholarship. Past recipients include Ryan Cline, Rapheal Davis, Robbie Hummel, Lewis Jackson, JaJuan Johnson and Dakota Mathias.
After a 26-year executive career in pharmaceuticals with Schering Plough, John retired in 2001. He was most recently the president of IMO consulting which he founded to service the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, John was an adjunct professor of industrial and physical pharmacy at Purdue and a member of the pharmacy dean's industrial advisory council. Originally from Warsaw, Indiana, he spent time in Washington D.C. as a Senate page as well as serving in the Army as a pharmacist.
John is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Janet, as well as two daughters, Jenna Wright '92 (Chip '93) and Janelle Guidry (Richard), and his beloved grandchildren: CJ ('23), Emma, Molly, Max and Ben.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that all donations be directed to the renovation of the basketball locker rooms. In recognition of the family's legacy, the fund supporting Purdue basketball will be renamed "The John Nine Fund for Purdue Basketball Excellence."
A celebration of life is planned for the future.
