Generations of Purdue Boilermakers celebrated their Midwest Regional championship victory on Sunday, with a special moment symbolizing the connection between past and present. After cutting down a piece of the net at Little Caesars Arena, Zach Edey, one of the team's star players, held it aloft to the cheers of Purdue fans. However, what made this celebration truly meaningful was Edey's gesture of giving a piece of the net to the man who started the program's successful journey 44 years ago, Gene Keady.

Gene Keady, a Purdue basketball legend, coached the Boilermakers for decades, winning 512 games and leading them to 17 NCAA Tournaments and two Elite Eights. He was also honored as a 2023 Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee and achieved numerous other accolades in his career. Keady mentored Matt Painter, Purdue's current head coach, who has now taken the team to the 2024 Final Four.

Despite never having reached the Final Four himself, Keady's influence on the program was evident in the heartfelt exchange between him and Edey. The 87-year-old icon received a handshake, a hug, and a piece of the net, signifying the respect and gratitude that the current team feels towards him. Edey, who was only two years old when Keady retired, recognized the role Keady played in building the program and saw this gesture as a way to repay him for his contributions.

This moment held particular significance for Coach Painter, as he not only played under Keady from 1989 to 1993 but also joined Purdue's coaching staff during Keady's final season in 2004-05, with the understanding that he would eventually succeed him. Painter expressed appreciation for what Keady did for the team and acknowledged the guilt he felt for now leading Purdue to the Final Four while Keady never accomplished that feat himself.

Ironically, Painter's journey to Purdue was not an easy one. As a high school basketball prospect, he initially rooted against Purdue, favoring the Indiana Hoosiers. However, influenced by his father, who emphasized Purdue's strong academics and disciplined approach, Painter eventually chose to play for Keady despite the coach's strict summer program requirements. The tough-love coaching style, exemplified by Keady's insistence on summer school or a job, shaped Painter's development as a player and laid the foundation for his successful coaching career.

After spending time as an assistant coach with various teams, including Purdue, Painter took over as head coach in 2005, following in Keady's footsteps. Now, 19 years later, Painter has led Purdue to the verge of their first-ever national title. The journey has come full circle, with the kid who once rooted against Purdue now standing at the helm of the program's historic success.

Sunday's exchange of the net between Edey and Keady was a fitting tribute to the legacy that Keady built and the impact he had on generations of Purdue basketball. As Keady doffed his hat and shook the piece of net, the crowd acknowledged his immense contribution. This moment, 44 years in the making, served as a reminder of Keady's integral role in Purdue's journey and emphasized the appreciation and gratitude felt by both players and coaches for all that he has done.