WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ask a successful college student-athlete about the secret to his success and chances are he will talk about time management and work ethic.

Throughout his Purdue career, senior starting defensive tackle Ryan Baker has been the epitome of a dedicated Boilermaker -- especially this summer.

Baker is working at Roche Diagnostic in Indianapolis as a summer intern, but he still manages to commute to campus to get in his daily workouts.

"He's extremely dedicated to do something like that," said fellow defensive tackle Jermaine Guynn. "Just look at the gas prices. He could give you every excuse to stay at home for the whole summer. Just kind of hang low and do his own thing. But he chooses to come up here no matter what. That just shows how dedicated he is."

Baker, who sells laboratory equipment used in drug testing, credits Roche for being flexible with his hours to help him keep up with his summer football workouts. It also helps that the former Bishop Chatard High School star can stay at his parents' home in Indianapolis.

On Mondays, he gets up at 6:30 a.m. and reports for work at 8. He leaves work about 3 p.m., drives to West Lafayette and works out at Purdue from 4:15 to about 6:30, and then spends time doing drills for defensive linemen.

He gets up at 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday and heads over to the Mollenkopf Athletic Center to begin a two-hour workout at 6 a.m. Then he drives to Indianapolis where he works for Roche from 9:15 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Since the Boilermakers get Wednesdays off, Baker spends the day working in Indianapolis.

But then he repeats his Monday and Tuesday schedule on Thursday and Friday. Weekends are reserved for his family. Baker and his girlfriend, Susanah Acheson, will celebrate five years together Saturday.

"I enjoy what I do at both places," Baker said. "Roche is a great company and I'm constantly learning and being challenged. Going to football practice gets me out of the office. It's a little more exciting to go to football now, just because when I'm in Indy I feel like I'm away."

Baker, who majors in management and minors in marketing, plans to earn his bachelor's degree in December. Because of his busy summer schedule, he's not taking any summer school classes but he will take his final 12 hours this fall.

Jim Lathrop, who oversees Baker's workouts as director of strength and conditioning, is impressed with his dedication.

"I think that's a pretty neat deal. It shows his commitment. He's a great kid," Lathrop said. "He lives and dies for this team and this program. He's a special kid. You wish you had 100 just like him."

Baker has started 24 games the past two seasons. For his career, he has 57 tackles, including 13 for loss and 6.5 sacks, with two passes broken up, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Known for his tremendous work ethic, this spring Baker received the team's Pit Bull Award on defense, given to the player who best exemplifies sustained tenacity and intense play. He also received Academic All-Big Ten honors in each of the past two seasons.

Defensive coordinator Brock Spack said Baker's hectic summer schedule is just the latest example of his dedication.

"That's why he's a captain," Spack said. "Not just the coaches, his teammates realize the sacrifices he makes and how hard he works. And the dedication he has to our football program and to academics. He's truly a student-athlete. He works hard at everything he does. He's really an intense guy. It's very impressive."

Earlier this week, four seniors were voted 2008 captains by their teammates -- Baker, Guynn, quarterback Curtis Painter and wide receiver Joe Whitest.

"It's a big responsibility, and a great honor, to be voted a captain," Baker said. "But if I wasn't, I'd still do the same thing. I'd lead just as much. Just like many of the guys on the team who aren't captains will lead just as much as I do."