Back Again
/Falls through skylight
Well hello, everyone! Guess who’s back?
Yep, it’s me. With the official closure of Boiler Upload thanks to On3 acquiring the Rivals brand I am a free agent when it comes to writing. Jace has moved on to bigger and better things. Gold and Black Illustrated picked him up, so it is good to see one H&R alum make it to the big time over there. Casey is currently in limbo, but I am sure he will find a landing spot soon and he does control the keys to the old Boiler Upload YouTube channel with over 3,000 subscribers.
But what to do about me, the OG of Hammer & Rails and the man who was once called “all that was wrong with Purdue sports”? I don’t have any NFL goals or business moves now that I am in my 40s, but I still have that itch to write from time to time.
Well, I talked with Ledman and Drew, and they are welcoming me back into the fold, kind of like a writer emeritus. The truth is that after 19 years managing sites like these, I am tired, so I don’t really want a managerial role, but I would love to have a place where I can occasionally share some thoughts as long as, in Ledman’s own words, “don’t do anything controversial I think it would be fine. That means no pictures of your dick. Or dead birds.”
Rest assured, that is not happening, but in my now semi-retirement from the game I am happy to come back to H&R for the occasional post. I am not taking anything away from what Drew and Ledman have done in running the place since taking over, because they have done a great job. I am basically the grizzled old writer with too many archaic opinions.
So I am happy to be back, if y’all will have me.
I might only do one or two things a week, and maybe even less since I was not writing much by the end of Boiler Upload. I am just glad to come back to this community that meant so much to me for so long. I may have left for almost three years, but I have still enjoyed seeing the work here from afar.
You can also relax in the knowledge that my opinions on the NBA have not gotten any better even with the Pacers nearly winning the title.
Mostly I am looking forward to writing about one of the most anticipated basketball seasons in Purdue history, as the Boilers are, dare I say, the favorite to win a national title? Sadly, I did not get to go to Phoenix last year, but with the Final Four in 2026 right here in Indy it only ups the anticipation.
So thank you for having me back, and Boiler Up!