The top assistant at former Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Olivet Nazarene University says he has "spent a lifetime preparing for an opportunity like this."

That opportunity for Dan Voudrie-appointment as head men's basketball coach at Purdue University Calumet-was announced at a news conference today (7/9) at Briar Ridge Country Club.

A 14-year college basketball coaching veteran, Voudrie, 35, is assuming his first head men's coaching position. The Morton, Ill. native and son of longtime central Illinois coach Stan Voudrie succeeds Grayling Gordon, who resigned last spring after directing Purdue Calumet to a 6-23 record during his lone season at the Peregrines helm.

"It's almost too good to be true to become head coach at a school with the reputation of excellence that trickles down throughout the Purdue system," Voudrie said. "Everything I had observed from the outside about Purdue Calumet has been reaffirmed during my process of pursuing this position."

As a former member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference's Division I, Purdue Calumet previously played an annual home and home series against Olivet Nazarene each season. Purdue Calumet moved to Division II of the CCAC last season.

"We are excited to have a young man of Dan's experience and character lead our men's basketball program," Purdue Calumet Assistant Vice Chancellor of Health, Recreation and Sports/Athletic Director Robert Bunnell said. "He brings enthusiasm and an outstanding NAIA basketball pedigree to our program. He knows our region and our conference, and he understands what it takes to be successful on and off the court. If ever there was a guy prepared to take the next step of becoming a head NAIA basketball coach, it's Dan.

A former three-sport Illinois high school athlete, Voudrie said he came to realize quickly that his athletic future was in coaching. After graduating from Bradley (Ill.) University in 1994 with a mathematics degree, he began his coaching career at Olivet Nazarene as a graduate assistant under current head coach Ralph Hodge. He also served there as interim head women's team coach one season.

He went on to hold assistant men's coaching positions at Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) University and Indiana Wesleyan University before returning six years ago to Olivet Nazarene as Hodge's top assistant and recruiting coordinator. Indiana Basketball News recognized Voudrie in 2000 and 2001 as top recruiter among NAIA assistant coaches.

During his 14-year college coaching career he has recruited and coached 16 All-America players and served on the staffs of seven teams that have earned national tournament berths. In Hodge and Mount Vernon Nazarene's Scott Flemming, Voudrie has been mentored by a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Famer and NAIA Coach-of-the-Year, respectively.

"They have exposed me to the elements needed to build a championship program," Voudrie said.

But before that can happen at Purdue Calumet, "My number one goal is to build relationships so we can improve on a daily basis," he said. "When that happens, performance as students, basketball players and young men will take care of itself. My job is to develop a group that represents Purdue Calumet with a level of excellence that is readily observed."

As for the style of play his Peregrines will adopt, "We're going to play very hard, unselfishly and as fast as our skills allow," he said. "We want to be fast and efficient."

Voudrie and his wife, Amber, have a young daughter, Jaelyn. He also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Olivet Nazarene, where he taught mathematics.