She Almost Skipped College Golf Entirely. Now She's Closing Out a Four-Year Career at Purdue Fort Wayne.
A late start, a 5-foot-4 frame, and a state tournament near-miss didn't stop Lillie Cone from becoming a four-year Purdue Fort Wayne golfer. Here's her path from DeKalb High School to a senior season — and a teaching career waiting on the other side.
Lillie Cone wasn't a can't-miss recruit. She picked up golf as a high school freshman, stood 5-foot-4 in a sport that often rewards length, and nearly let the college decision deadline pass her by. Instead, a 12th-place finish at the Indiana girls' state tournament and one phone call to Purdue Fort Wayne head coach Jim Earle changed everything. Three years and 46 rounds later, she's back in Fort Wayne for a senior season — degree already in hand — with her sights set on a kindergarten or elementary classroom next.
A Decision Made at the Deadline
Seventeen miles from campus, at DeKalb High School, Lillie Cone was running out of time. College decision day loomed, and unlike a lot of her classmates, she didn't have an answer.
Cone wasn't a one-sport specialist looking for a golf scholarship. She was a two-sport athlete — a 3-point record-holder on the basketball court and a state-tournament qualifier on the golf course, finishing 12th as a senior. But she'd only picked up clubs as a high school freshman, and at 5-foot-4, she wondered whether college athletics were even realistic for someone with her build and her limited track record.
That question got answered fast. After her state tournament finish, Cone picked up the phone and called Purdue Fort Wayne head coach Jim Earle. The conversation didn't take long to turn into a commitment.
Why Fort Wayne Made Sense
For Cone, this wasn't just about finding a program willing to take a chance on a late-blooming golfer. It was about staying close to home.
"I love staying around here," Cone said. "I have family so close I can go visit my parents whenever, and it's a great community."
That proximity mattered. Fort Wayne let her build a college career without cutting ties to the people who shaped her — something that's paid off both athletically and personally over three seasons and 46 competitive rounds.
The Classroom Waiting on the Other Side
Golf brought Cone to Purdue Fort Wayne, but teaching is what's keeping her focused on what comes next. Following in her parents' footsteps, she's entering a transition-to-teaching program during her senior year, aiming for a kindergarten, first-, or second-grade classroom.
"I think I always knew that teaching was my path," Cone said. "I knew in the back of my mind that teaching was definitely for me."
Two teachers from her own childhood shaped how she thinks about the role. For Cone, teaching isn't just curriculum — it's presence.
"As you're growing up and starting to look at the profession yourself, you realize you're not only there to teach the kids," she said. "Kids come to school sometimes as an escape, and if they come to talk to you, you're their person. I want to be there for every student I teach, no matter the mood I'm in — just show up for the kids and provide a safe space."
That mindset extends beyond any future classroom. Cone has said she'd eventually like to coach basketball or golf too, carrying the same priority of safety and support into whatever team she leads.
Where It Started
Cone traces her outlook straight back to how she was raised.
"When I was growing up, my parents made it a thing," she said. "Since I was little, the attitude was, 'We're always there to help people.' Don't be selfish, always be there for everybody, no matter if they're there for you or not."
That's the lens through which she's approaching her final year — one more season of competitive golf, one more year of preparation before she steps fully into education.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| High school | DeKalb High School (Auburn, IN), Class of 2023 |
| Golf state finish | 12th place, Indiana girls' state tournament |
| College | Purdue Fort Wayne |
| Head coach | Jim Earle |
| Rounds played (first 3 seasons) | 46 |
| Height | 5'4" |
| Career path | Transitioning to elementary education |
| Season opener | August 31, Midwest Match Play |
The Raw Take
This is the kind of story college athletics doesn't market enough. No five-star recruiting profile, no highlight reel that blew up a coach's inbox — just a kid who found golf late, doubted whether she belonged on a college roster, and made one phone call that turned into a four-year career. Cone's path proves that recruiting rankings and swing speed aren't the only currency that matters in women's college golf; conviction and timing count for plenty too.
What stands out more than her scorecard is what she's building toward. A lot of college athletes talk about "giving back" as a throwaway line for a press release. Cone's plan — teaching kindergarten or first grade, potentially coaching down the line — reads like someone who's actually thought through what showing up for other people looks like, day after day, not just during a good week on the course. That's worth paying attention to as she closes out her senior season at the Midwest Match Play on August 31.