Fans came to Mackey for answers

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue basketball fans piled in Mackey Arena Thursday morning, all waiting to get answers to the rumors that have been swirling about Coach Matt Painter and the Purdue Athletic Department. A news conference was scheduled for 11 a.m.

The media weren't the only ones wanting answers to questions.

"We just really wanted to hear what they had to say to clear up a lot of the issues that really came up this past week," explained Paint Crew member Jacob Martin, who came to Mackey Arena for the news conference.

"The biggest reason I wanted to come was to show support for Coach Painter," said fellow Paint Crew member Ben Carnahan.

Many of the fans gathered in the bleachers were Paint Crew members. Some said hearing from their leader made them understand where he was coming from.

"They said you have to look yourself in the mirror and consider your options," said Paint Crew member Matt Alterpeter after the press conference. "You do that with every day life: choosing between a university, even fast food; do you want to go to Panda Express or McDonald's. He had to consider his options and he felt Purdue was the better one."

Other fans related to what Painter said.

"I graduate in May so I'm going to be looking for jobs myself," explained Paint Crew member Dan Johnson. "Looking around and finding the right job, right position I understand."

All said they just wanted to show their support for Painter, the team and Boilermaker basketball.