Man who rescued 5 from burning building to be honored at Joe Tiller athletic banquet

LAFAYETTE, Ind. – When Nick Bostic rushed into a stranger's burning Lafayette home and rescued five people, including a small child, he had only recently learned he'd be a father.

On that July 11, 2022, morning, just after midnight, Bostic spotted the blaze as he drove by the Union Street home. He didn't think, not for a second, he said, about the danger. While others may contemplate what they'd do when facing a similar situation, Bostic told the Journal & Courier he always knew what he'd do -- if and when.

"It was something I had to do," said Bostic, now father to 4-month-old son, Bryston. "When you practice doing the right thing, you'll do the right thing when something like that comes along."

Scars from the rescue remain on parts of Bostic's body, including from the worst burn injuries suffered on his right arm. The red, still-puffy marks serve as a reminder, just in case anyone needs reminding. Bostic, 25, spent time at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, known for its treatment of burn victims.

A hero celebrated alongside Lafayette-area sports legends

A former Hershey Elementary and Tipp Middle School student who spent most of his childhood in Arkansas, Bostic and the events of July 11, 2022, will be centerstage at an upcoming sports banquet, hosted by the National Football Foundation’s Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana.

The June 25 event will focus on 12 foundation scholar-athletes nominated by their schools throughout Northwest Indiana. The students were considered for the annual Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, and the Journal & Courier will feature 33 student-athletes nominated by high school athletics directors in the J&C coverage area.

Honoring an individual not necessarily known for his prowess on the gridiron seemed like a no-brainer to Jim Vruggink, executive director of the Joe Tiller Chapter of Northwest Indiana, National Football Foundation.

"The banquet will be a great opportunity to honor Nick and to demonstrate to the athletes in attendance that our heroes can come from anywhere," said Vruggink, who added that Indiana State Rep. Sheila Klinker will present a proclamation detailing Bostic's heroics at the banquet.

Also scheduled to be honored at the event, to be held at the Purdue Memorial Union ballroom, will be 14 J&C sport-by-sport players of the year selected by J&C sports writer Sam King, and 61 Indiana Football Coaches Association North All-Star nominees from Regions 1 and 4.

The banquet has drawn hundreds of sports faithful since its 2004 beginning and, in earlier years, included appearances by Purdue legendary quarterback and Super Bowl winner Drew Brees. This year marks the sixth partnership with the J&C.

While they cannot attend the banquet, other awards will go to Purdue football standouts Charlie Jones and Aidan O’Connell, as well as Boilermaker Zach Edey, who will be recognized for his mental toughness and excellence.

High school athletes Ashlynn Brooke and Kendal Rider will be saluted for overcoming tremendous health concerns.

Joe Tiller wanted more recognition for local athletes

Joe Tiller, the former Purdue football coach who led Brees in the "Cradle of Quarterbacks," wanted a hall of fame chapter in the West Lafayette area, said Vruggink, who had been director of athletic public relations.

While at a similar banquet, where the late coach learned how chapters managed to increase the number of inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame, "Joe Tiller turned to me and said, 'Vruggink, you get that done.' "

"I was always frustrated that we at Purdue were underrepresented in the College Football Hall of Fame and the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame," said Vruggink, "I was all on board to do whatever we could do change that."

While ticket sales for the June 25 banquet are selling fast, those interested can still contact Vruggink at at jvruggink@purdue.edu.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Joe Tiller sports banquet will honor man who saved 5 from burning home