For Robbie Hummel, basketball was never just a game, it was also his identity. A Purdue star with NBA aspirations, his career looked destined for greatness. But fate had other plans. Constant injuries forced Hummel to adapt, pivot, find a new way and a purpose forward. And now, he’s not just thriving, he’s also dominating, not on the hardwood, but behind the mic.
But before his unexpected rise in broadcasting, Hummel spent his college days balancing life as a student-athlete. While Purdue fans remember him for his clutch performances, many don’t know what he studied off the court. So, what did Robbie Hummel major in? And how did his education shape his post-basketball journey?
At Purdue, Robbie Hummel hustled through the court with his leadership skills, but off the court, the youngster was also laying the groundwork for his future. While fans saw him dominating the Big Ten, little did they know that the upcoming star was also studying management. At that time, Robbie Hummel was focused on his basketball career. But his ability to analyze, communicate, and adapt were skills that would later serve him well.
When Injuries Changed Everything
At Purdue Boilermakers Hummel had an impressive freshman year with 11.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 2.5 APG. Expectations were sky high for Hummel. He broke the school freshman record with a 44.7 three-point FG percentage. However, his journey took a different turn after suffering multiple injuries in college basketball. The streak of injuries for Robbie began from his sophomore year with a back brace.
His game time significantly decreased with constant injuries in college basketball. Robbie Hummel became a two-time ACL tear victim in his college basketball career but still managed to finish as a top-10 all-time rebounder. With a fresh start, Robbie Hummel was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2012 as a 58th overall pick.
Unluckily, the injuries followed him into the pros as well. In the same year, Hummel signed a one-year deal with Obradoiro CAB of Spain. He injured his right meniscus and was sidelined for two months. Few other overseas gigs were unsuccessful for the Purdue graduate. A shoulder tear in Italy left him questioning everything until the Big Ten Network called. What started as a temporary gig soon became a calling.
Hummel, in his two-year stint at Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-15) set his foot in other adventures as well. He participated in the NBA’s Sportscaster U training program at Syracuse, known for churning out broadcasting talent. This set the base for further broadcasting endeavors granting him a new purpose amidst on-court uncertainties.
Most broadcasters spend years trying to hone their skills and create that charm in front of the camera. However, Robbie Hummel skipped a few steps on the ladder. His work with NBA’s Sportscaster U and Big Ten Network caught the eye of top agent Maury Gostfrand, who represents elite analysts like Doris Burke. This paved the way for the Purdue graduate to enter a full-time broadcast role. At 28 in his first full basketball season as a broadcaster, he was tapped to call 55 events for BTN and ESPN. His deep basketball IQ, which came from years as a student of the game, made Robbie a natural fit behind the mic.
From March Madness Fan to Its Voice
Robbie Hummel has emerged as one of the most prominent anchors of college basketball on broadcast television. His love for College Basketball and its staple March Madness has evolved from his childhood days. In 1998, sitting in his Valparaiso based home as a third-grader, Hummel witnessed Bryce Drew’s legendary buzzer-beater against Ole Miss.
It was a shot that took his hometown team on a Cinderella run. The fairytale season ignited the passion of college basketball and March madness into the curious third-grader kid. Robbie Hummel worked his way through to live the dream of March Madness magic. At Purdue, injuries didn’t help Robbie and his team to live the dream.
But sometimes, life has other plans. Hummel never got his fairytale March Madness moment as a player. But the college basketball tournament still found its way back to him. When injuries ended his pro career, new doors opened. One that placed him courtside for March Madness, however, this time with a microphone instead of a jersey. Today, as that very curious kid covers the March Madness games on the biggest stage, he’s not just talking about March Madness. He’s also helping shape how millions experience it.
Robbie Hummel’s path to March Madness was filled with heartbreak, but his journey has come full circle in a way he never imagined. Now, as one of the most respected voices in college basketball, could he be on the path to becoming a future legend in broadcasting? Let us know your thoughts!
The post What Did Robbie Hummel Major In at Purdue? More About the Alma Matter of One of College Basketball’s Best Analyst appeared first on EssentiallySports.
