As the Purdue women’s basketball team looks for the perfect combination of ingredients to produce a win against Rutgers in the Sweet Sixteen on Sunday, they might turn to their senior guard Lauren Mioton.

Mioton is the force behind a cookbook aimed at raising money to rebuild her native New Orleans. Originally published in January of last year, “Live to Eat” features 250 recipes, including one for trout contributed by former Purdue and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife.

Although she was initially thinking of selling T-shirts or bumper stickers as a way of generating relief funds for devastated New Orleans and southern Louisiana, Mioton listened when a Purdue athletics staffer mentioned a cookbook.

“I thought it was a perfect fit because the culture of New Orleans and Louisiana is obviously focused on food,” said Mioton. “We take great pride in our cuisine.”

With the help of the Purdue women’s basketball fan organization, The Boilermaker Network and the rest of the athletics department, Mioton solicited recipes. The resulting cookbook sold for $20 and ultimately generated more than $8,200.

“I couldn’t fathom what type of profit we could make,” said Mioton. “To get over $8,200 was unbelievable. It obviously exceeded my expectations along with those of the foundation I donated the money to. They were very thankful.”

A second edition of the cookbook (fittingly called “The Second Course”) was released last month and features 250 new recipes.

As Mioton puts the finishing touches on an outstanding collegiate career, she said she set a goal to enjoy her senior campaign by seeking out new experiences and meeting new people. She did just that when she decided to throw her name in the running for Purdue’s Homecoming Queen last fall.

“I wanted to be involved because I have such great pride in the opportunities I’ve had here and what Purdue has meant to me,” she said. “I thought it would be great to represent Purdue in a different way.”

By her own admission, the endeavor was well beyond her comfort zone and she was not expecting to win. Consequently, when they announced her as the winner at the pep rally the night before the football game, it came as a complete shock.

Less surprising, however, are the lofty goals Mioton has set for herself once she graduates from Purdue this spring. She is an aspiring doctor, and although she has been shadowing her cardiologist father since she was in high school, she is keeping an open mind about about the type of medicine she will eventually practice. After finishing medical school, she also plans to do her part to provide medical assistance in urban, underprivileged and underserved areas in the United States and across the world.  

Mioton was a finalist for the 2009 Wooden Cup, presented by Athletes for a Better World, which recognizes the most outstanding role model among athletes. Calling it one of the greatest awards she could receive, she said it was a particular honor because she was the only female student-athlete named as a finalist.

“I think women athletes have only begun to excel. It’s great to serve as a role model and hopefully show people they are not limited to one area,” she said. “If there are obstacles in your path, you can overcome them through the help of others.”