Brush-A-Mania 101

I. THE FACTS

Name:Brush, Lee
Year:Senior
Position:Free Safety
Height:5'10"
Weight:190
Number:10
Hometown:Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Major:Civil Engineering
Notes:

2nd leading tackler during the regular season (95)
One sack and Two Interceptions
One fumble recovery for a touchdown
      (2:10 remaining in the first half of the Alamo Bowl,
      and we don't care if it was called back,
      LEE HAD A TOUCHDOWN!)
Mania:an extreme enthusiasm for something

II. What the Spirit of Lee Means to us, the Purdue FANS

      OK, so now you know the facts. As impressive as this may seem, there's one thing the statitistics can't measure, and that's the size of the heart inside the man. Lee Brush is the man.

      Lee always wore the gold and black with pride. Lee played the game how it is meant to be played -- with enthusiasm, spirit, and heart. Lee is the ultimate team player and always displays the foremost in sportmanship. Lee is a true student-athlete.

      Lee Brush is everything that is good about college football.

III. A History of Brush-A-Mania

1985 - 1996

      There was a dark cloud over the world of sport. It seemed that all the athletes cared about was money, agents, shoe contracts and commercials. The FANS, disillusioned from all this greed, took heart that they could still cheer for their Boilermakers. Even though the Boilers had no winning seasons in this era, the FANS were always optimistic. The FANS took heart that at least their beloved Boilers played for the sheer love of the sport.

      Yet the FANS wanted more; they longed for a winner, and most of all the FANS needed a HERO to emerge on the fabled prescription athletic turf.

1997

      Prayers were answered. After losing the first game of the season to Toledo and going 3 and out on the opening drive of the Notre Dame game, the fans again wondered. "Oh well, here we go again. It looks like another long season at Ross-Ade." Some fans were already hanging their heads.

      Then the defense took the field for the first time in the game. "Look, who is that? He's jumpin' up and down! He's pushin' it up! He's waving his arms! He's hyped!" The reply, "It's Lee Brush, and HE WANTS US UP!" The FANS promptly rose to their feet and cheered with all they had. The Boilers rose to the occasion and stopped the Irish, and thus the phenomenon we call Brush-A-Mania came to be.

      By mid-season the FANS coined the phrase 'Brush-A-Mania' to describe the phenomenon Lee had created. The momentum of Brush-A-Mania grew all season. On every big third down play, Lee demanded that we stand and cheer as loud as we could. Almost without exception, good things happened for our team.

      By the time of the Alamo Bowl, Brush-A-Mania was in full swing. The Brush-A-Maniacs came to San Antonio with signs and banners; even a website was developed. The good word of Lee was spread throughout San Antonio on the RiverWalk. Yet before the game, as the FANS were trapped in a sea of orange-clad OSU fans, there were doubts. Would the Boilers pull through one more time? Has the clock finally struck midnight for Cinderella? These questions were answered as soon as Lee took the field. With a few Pete Townsend windmills the FANS were in a frenzy and ready for anything OSU or their orange mass of fans could dish out. During the game we proudly held our Brush-A-Mania sign, yelled "Lee wants us up!" and chanted "Lee-Fense, Lee-Fense". Some made makeshift hats from gold construction paper and duct tape that said LEE in big bold letters. We even took time to educate a few youngsters. All of this in the name of Lee.

IV. The Future of Brush-A-Mania

      As the glory of the Alamo Bowl fades, you may wonder, "Who will carry on Lee's legacy?"

      Well, we have recently been informed that Lee will remain on board next season as a student coach. Rest assured Lee will take part in molding the character of his successor(s). In this way the spirit of Lee will continue as Lee will pass the torch of Brush-A-Mania to the next generation of Boilers.

      Brush-A-Mania will continue as long as the FANS are there to cheer the Boilers on to victory.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING LEE -- WE LOVE YOU!



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