Purdue's alumni game weekend brought countless former Boilermaker players and coaches back around the program.

But for Frank Kendrick, "back" held more meanings than one.

It had been a decade-and-a-half since the former Purdue star and assistant coach left the Boilermaker program in the wake of its NCAA troubles of the mid-1990s. Since, the relationship has been fractured between program and alumnus. Kendrick says he's been accused of "hating" Purdue, which he denies.

Saturday, when Kendrick was introduced to the several thousand Purdue fans in attendance at the alumni game, he received a noticeably different cheer, the crowd seemingly understanding the relevance of his presence, for both the program and individual.

Afterward, Kendrick became emotional discussing his return.

"This was tremendous," he said. "I don't know how the tears didn't flow, because it was very emotional, especially when they started playing 'Hail Purdue.' I've been away 15 years and that's way too long. I'm very thankful, very grateful to Coach (Matt) Painter, Morgan Burke, everybody involved. This is my family. It's tough being away from your family."

Kendrick, who will be 63 on Sept. 11, paused to compose himself.

"It's extremely important to me," he said. "Going to school at Purdue was probably the best thing that happened to me. Getting to know all the fine people I know that went here … I think I'm a loyal person and when you're good to me, I'm good to you."

Kendrick's return Saturday was made to happen mutually, finalized in July during an extended conversation with Painter.

"For me, it's been gone," Kendrick said of the difficulty in his relationship with Purdue. "Since I talked to Coach Painter, it's been gone. I wanted it gone. It was pain. The pain's gone. I'm very happy. I'm a Boilermaker. It's not something given. It's something you earn.

"I love him for it. He's wonderful. I'll always be grateful to him for it. I got to see Coach (Gene) Keady and we talked some and we'll talk some more. It's all good, good to see all the guys, all the players and ex-players, just wonderful. It's hard to describe."

Purdue talks often about "family" in its men's basketball program.

From here on out, Kendrick hopes to very much be part of it.

"I'd give up an arm and a leg to be part of it," he said. "This is me. I want to help my school get to the very top and I can still do that. I have all the confidence in the world."

Of lesser significance in the story of Kendrick's return to Purdue is the fact that on Saturday, he showed he can still play.

The event's oldest participant moved around the court like a man much younger.

"I've been very blessed over the years in terms of my health," said Kendrick, who remains around basketball in training and coaching capacities. "I've never had a serious injury and I always was very conscious when I was young of wanting to do things like this when I got to this age. I've always wanted to continue to play. … I've been very blessed with everything that's happened."

That was his sentiment as well about Saturday's welcoming.

After a brief interview, Kendrick continued talking, bringing up suggestions of him holding a grudge against his alma mater.

"I've always loved Purdue and always will," he said. "That won't change. You have some of the best people in the world associated with this institution and an institution is what its people are. These people here are second to none."

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