Purdue Boilermakers football
Encyclopedia
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football
program of the Purdue University
Boilermakers
. The program is classified in the NCAA
's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference
. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of 571-487-48.
The Boilermakers have called Ross-Ade Stadium
home since 1924. It replaced Stuart Field
, which was home to the Boilermakers since 1892. It is named for David E. Ross and George Ade
, the principal benefactors. Ross–Ade Stadium opened on November 22, 1924 with a seating capacity
of 13,500 and standing room for an additional 5,000 people. A series of additions and renovations pushed the seating capacity
to almost 68,000 (70,000 with standing room). In 2001 Purdue University
began a $70 million renovation, which led to a reduced seating capacity
of 62,500.
is the marching band
of Purdue University
. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band (AAMB) is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games. AAMB does many service performances for high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools, and has been the host band of the Indianapolis 500
race every year the race has been held since 1927. The band has grown from an original 5 members to 373 members, making it one of the largest marching bands in the world. The two most distinctive features of the AAMB are the World's Largest Drum and solo baton twirler the Purdue Golden Girl.
In 1886 the Purdue Student Army Training Corps produced 5 men who provided music for the Army trainees to listen to during their morning conditioning runs. While operating without a director until 1904, the band had started playing at Purdue football games and had grown to over 50 members. In 1904, Paul Spotts Emrick, joined the band. His experience as a conductor resulted in his election as band president and director the next year. During his senior year at Purdue, the marching band, under Emrick, became the first band to break ranks and form a letter on the field—the famous Block "P".
Emrick stayed on as director after his graduation in 1908. In 1921 Emrick commissioned Leedy to construct the World's Largest Drum, and it has been a part of the marching band ever since. In 1935, during a Purdue football game at Northwestern University
the band donned lights on their uniforms while performing at halftime. With the stadium lights turned off for the performance, the band drew such awe from radio broadcaster Ted Husing
, he referred to them as a "truly All-American marching band," hence the current title of the band.
The Boilermaker Special
is the official mascot
of Purdue University
in West Lafayette, Indiana
. It resembles a Victorian-era railroad locomotive
and is built on a truck chassis. It is operated and maintained by the student members of the Purdue Reamer Club.
Purdue University
is a land-grant university
(or Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) university) created through the Morrill Act of 1862. In the 1890s, Purdue became a leader in the research of railway technology. For many years Purdue operated the "Schenectady No. 1", and later the "Schenectady No. 2", on a dynamometer in an engineering laboratory on the West Lafayette campus. These were 4-4-0 type steam locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Schenectady was a classic Victorian-era design similar in construction to the Western and Atlantic Railroad No. 3 (see The General (locomotive)
on display at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
). Purdue even operated its own railroad to connect the campus to a main rail line. In the 1930s the dynamometer was decommissioned and the Schenectady No. 2 was retired as the railroad industry in the United States converted from steam to diesel-electric locomotives.
Purdue did not have a mascot. In 1939, Purdue student Israel Selkowitz suggested the school adopt an official mascot to represent Purdue's engineering heritage. He originally proposed a "mechanical man". After much debate, it was decided to build a locomotive on an automobile chassis. This choice allowed the mascot to build on Purdue's engineering and railroading heritage, as well as represent the school's nickname "Boilermakers" in a meaningful way.
The "Boilermaker" nickname came about during the early years of Purdue football. There had been rumors the university enrolled burly boilermakers from the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette, Indiana as students/football players to help beef up the scrawny football team. When a railroad operated an extra train independent of the scheduled timetable, it was known as a "special". Thus, the trains which carried Purdue's sporting teams and their fans to other cities for athletic contests were known as "Boilermaker Specials". It was a perfect match.
Financial and moral support for the first Boilermaker Special was provided by key members of the Purdue University graduating class of 1907, and members of the Purdue Reamer Club from the graduating classes of 1940 and 1941.
. The owners of the bookstores gave him the name “Pete”, yet no one officially knows why this was chosen to be his name. He was given a physical identity in 1956 as he came out and helped the students cheer at a pep rally. Over the years, the appearance of Purdue Pete has gone under several drastic changes as well as several minor changes. His original head was made of paper-mâché, pasted onto a chicken wire frame. This was very inconvenient for the person who would be underneath because it would limit his movements, yet he was still expected to move around and do stunts. This head was changed to a giant fiberglass head where the person inside would use a harness to support it. This was unpractical due to the sheer size of it. In the 1980s, Purdue Pete acquired the appearance he is now associated with. Proposals to switch to a soft-sculpture costume were rejected in 2006 and 2011.
, with whom they play for the Old Oaken Bucket
, but during the Joe Tiller era the rivalry with Notre Dame
in football has become the most heated and most competitive with Joe Tiller led teams going 5-7 vs. Notre Dame. Danny Hope picked up the Purdue-Notre Dame rivalry
with a 24-21 loss in his first season as head coach. In addition, Purdue has a long-standing rivalry with Illinois
, with whom they play for the Purdue Cannon
trophy.
Due to having an odd number of teams from 1993 to 2010, the Big Ten utilized a rotating system of conference games. Every school was designated two official rivals, whom they played every year. The official rivals for Purdue were Indiana
and Northwestern
. However, after the expansion of the Big Ten to 12 schools, Purdue and Northwestern were placed into separate conference divisions and will no longer play each other on an annual basis. Beginning in 2011, Purdue's new designated cross-division rival will be Iowa
.
The helmet is old gold with the Purdue "P" in black with a white outline on both sides. There are three stripes down the middle; two outer black ones, and one thick inner white one. The facemask is black.
Before Tiller, the team wore uniforms that sported the school's name across the front of the jersey, and the old gold color was more pronounced, with almost a copper hue. In Tiller's first season, the helmet color was lightened substantially, as was the gold used on the rest of the uniform.
Purdue's Pride sticker (given out for good performances) was the Purdue logo (locomotive). This was changed in 2006 to a sledgehammer with the slant "P" in the hammer's head (like the one wielded by mascot Purdue Pete). In the 2006 game against the Indiana State Sycamores
, Purdue wore a throwback uniform from 1966, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the school's first Rose Bowl team. It featured a white jersey with two outer black stripes on the shoulder and one inner gold stripe. The numerals were black with no outline. They wore gold pants with two black stripes on the sides, and the helmets were old gold with black numbers and one black stripe down the middle. The gold in the throwback uniforms was more yellow in hue than that in the regular 1997–present uniforms.
In 2002, Purdue changed from its black home jersey to an old gold jersey. The old gold uniforms had white numerals and black outline for home games, and white uniforms with old gold numbers and back outline for away games. Some complained that the numerals on the jersey were too hard to see, so in 2003 they changed to an old gold jersey with black numerals outlined in white, and white pants with two black stripes down the sides. After losing their opening game at home to Bowling Green, Tiller and the team decided to dump the gold jerseys and go back to the black uniforms. After they changed back to the black uniforms, the team came out to Back in Black
by AC/DC
for every home game in 2003. Since then, Purdue has stayed with the black uniforms. In one game against Wisconsin in 2006, the Boilermakers wore the black jersey with black pants. They hadn't sported an all-black look at home since the last game of the season in 1996 against Indiana.
In 2009, Purdue also wore the Black on Black in a night game against Notre Dame on the Purdue Blackout, and then wore them for the remainder of their home games. In 2010, the Black on Black remained the normal home uniform with the exception being the Homecoming game against Minnesota where the team donned Throwback Uniforms for the 2001 Rosebowl team. While the original jerseys were made by Champion, the replicas were Nike branded.
football team in college football seven times over the years—the third most of all the Division I teams in college football. Only Notre Dame and Oklahoma have accomplished this more times.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
program of the Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
Boilermakers
Purdue Boilermakers
Boilermakers is the official nickname for the intercollegiate athletic teams of Purdue University. As is common with athletic nicknames, it is also used as colloquial designation of Purdue's students and alumni at large....
. The program is classified in the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of 571-487-48.
Stadium
Ross-Ade Stadium
Ross–Ade Stadium is a stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. It is the home of the Purdue University Boilermakers football team.-History:...
home since 1924. It replaced Stuart Field
Stuart Field
Stuart Field was a stadium at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. It was the home field of the Purdue Boilermakers football team from 1892 until 1924 when Ross–Ade Stadium opened. Purdue's baseball team continued to play at Stuart Field until 1940. The Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music is...
, which was home to the Boilermakers since 1892. It is named for David E. Ross and George Ade
George Ade
George Ade was an American writer, newspaper columnist, and playwright.-Biography:Ade was born in Kentland, Indiana, one of seven children raised by John and Adaline Ade. While attending Purdue University, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity...
, the principal benefactors. Ross–Ade Stadium opened on November 22, 1924 with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 13,500 and standing room for an additional 5,000 people. A series of additions and renovations pushed the seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
to almost 68,000 (70,000 with standing room). In 2001 Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
began a $70 million renovation, which led to a reduced seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 62,500.
Marching band
The Purdue All-American Marching BandPurdue All-American Marching Band
The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the marching band of Purdue University. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games...
is the marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
of Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band (AAMB) is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games. AAMB does many service performances for high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools, and has been the host band of the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
race every year the race has been held since 1927. The band has grown from an original 5 members to 373 members, making it one of the largest marching bands in the world. The two most distinctive features of the AAMB are the World's Largest Drum and solo baton twirler the Purdue Golden Girl.
In 1886 the Purdue Student Army Training Corps produced 5 men who provided music for the Army trainees to listen to during their morning conditioning runs. While operating without a director until 1904, the band had started playing at Purdue football games and had grown to over 50 members. In 1904, Paul Spotts Emrick, joined the band. His experience as a conductor resulted in his election as band president and director the next year. During his senior year at Purdue, the marching band, under Emrick, became the first band to break ranks and form a letter on the field—the famous Block "P".
Emrick stayed on as director after his graduation in 1908. In 1921 Emrick commissioned Leedy to construct the World's Largest Drum, and it has been a part of the marching band ever since. In 1935, during a Purdue football game at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
the band donned lights on their uniforms while performing at halftime. With the stadium lights turned off for the performance, the band drew such awe from radio broadcaster Ted Husing
Ted Husing
Edward Britt Husing was an American sportscaster and was among the first to lay the groundwork for the structure and pace of modern sports reporting on television and radio.-Early life and career:...
, he referred to them as a "truly All-American marching band," hence the current title of the band.
Boilermaker Special
Boilermaker Special
The Boilermaker Special is the official mascot of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. It resembles a Victorian-era railroad locomotive and is built on a truck chassis...
is the official mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in West Lafayette, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. It resembles a Victorian-era railroad locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
and is built on a truck chassis. It is operated and maintained by the student members of the Purdue Reamer Club.
Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
is a land-grant university
Land-grant university
Land-grant universities are institutions of higher education in the United States designated by each state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890....
(or Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) university) created through the Morrill Act of 1862. In the 1890s, Purdue became a leader in the research of railway technology. For many years Purdue operated the "Schenectady No. 1", and later the "Schenectady No. 2", on a dynamometer in an engineering laboratory on the West Lafayette campus. These were 4-4-0 type steam locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Schenectady was a classic Victorian-era design similar in construction to the Western and Atlantic Railroad No. 3 (see The General (locomotive)
The General (locomotive)
The General is a type 4-4-0 steam locomotive that was the subject of the Great Locomotive Chase of the American Civil War. The locomotive is preserved at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.-...
on display at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History is a museum in Kennesaw, Georgia, that contains a collection of artifacts and relics from the American Civil War, as well as from railroads of the state of Georgia and surrounding regions...
). Purdue even operated its own railroad to connect the campus to a main rail line. In the 1930s the dynamometer was decommissioned and the Schenectady No. 2 was retired as the railroad industry in the United States converted from steam to diesel-electric locomotives.
Purdue did not have a mascot. In 1939, Purdue student Israel Selkowitz suggested the school adopt an official mascot to represent Purdue's engineering heritage. He originally proposed a "mechanical man". After much debate, it was decided to build a locomotive on an automobile chassis. This choice allowed the mascot to build on Purdue's engineering and railroading heritage, as well as represent the school's nickname "Boilermakers" in a meaningful way.
The "Boilermaker" nickname came about during the early years of Purdue football. There had been rumors the university enrolled burly boilermakers from the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette, Indiana as students/football players to help beef up the scrawny football team. When a railroad operated an extra train independent of the scheduled timetable, it was known as a "special". Thus, the trains which carried Purdue's sporting teams and their fans to other cities for athletic contests were known as "Boilermaker Specials". It was a perfect match.
Financial and moral support for the first Boilermaker Special was provided by key members of the Purdue University graduating class of 1907, and members of the Purdue Reamer Club from the graduating classes of 1940 and 1941.
Purdue Pete
Purdue Pete was first designed as a logo by the University Bookstore in 1940. They would put it on their products and portray him dressed up in different clothes for the different majors. He got the Purdue part of his name from Purdue UniversityPurdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
. The owners of the bookstores gave him the name “Pete”, yet no one officially knows why this was chosen to be his name. He was given a physical identity in 1956 as he came out and helped the students cheer at a pep rally. Over the years, the appearance of Purdue Pete has gone under several drastic changes as well as several minor changes. His original head was made of paper-mâché, pasted onto a chicken wire frame. This was very inconvenient for the person who would be underneath because it would limit his movements, yet he was still expected to move around and do stunts. This head was changed to a giant fiberglass head where the person inside would use a harness to support it. This was unpractical due to the sheer size of it. In the 1980s, Purdue Pete acquired the appearance he is now associated with. Proposals to switch to a soft-sculpture costume were rejected in 2006 and 2011.
Rivalries
Purdue's major rival has always been Indiana UniversityIndiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, with whom they play for the Old Oaken Bucket
Old Oaken Bucket
The Old Oaken Bucket is the name of the trophy that is annually awarded to the winner of the Big Ten Conference college football game between Indiana University and Purdue University. It is one of the oldest football trophies in the nation...
, but during the Joe Tiller era the rivalry with Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
in football has become the most heated and most competitive with Joe Tiller led teams going 5-7 vs. Notre Dame. Danny Hope picked up the Purdue-Notre Dame rivalry
Shillelagh Trophy
The Shillelagh Trophy is a trophy exchanged between Notre Dame and Purdue, being held by the winner of the annual football game. The two in-state rivals first played each other in 1896 and the game has occurred annually since 1946. The trophy, first presented in 1957, is a club donated by Joe...
with a 24-21 loss in his first season as head coach. In addition, Purdue has a long-standing rivalry with Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini football
The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
, with whom they play for the Purdue Cannon
Purdue Cannon
The Purdue Cannon is presented to the winner of the University of Illinois-Purdue University football game. The cannon was conceived by Purdue students 95 years ago but was first presented as a trophy by an Illinois alumnus in 1943....
trophy.
Due to having an odd number of teams from 1993 to 2010, the Big Ten utilized a rotating system of conference games. Every school was designated two official rivals, whom they played every year. The official rivals for Purdue were Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
and Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
. However, after the expansion of the Big Ten to 12 schools, Purdue and Northwestern were placed into separate conference divisions and will no longer play each other on an annual basis. Beginning in 2011, Purdue's new designated cross-division rival will be Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
.
Logos and uniforms
Purdue's colors are Old Gold and Black, as are their uniforms. Home uniforms are black with white numerals and old gold outline. On the sleeve is the player's number in white, outlined in old gold, along with two outer old gold stripes and a black one inside at the end of the sleeve. The pants are old gold with two black stripes along both sides. The away uniform is white with black numerals and old gold outline. Both home and away jerseys sport the Purdue slant "P" logo in the center front of the collar, surrounded by a patch of black fabric. The away pants are black with two old gold stripes. Since the arrival of Joe Tiller in 1997, Purdue players have not worn names on the backs of their jerseys. This is the first year under Danny Hope that the players will wear their names on the backs of their jerseys.The helmet is old gold with the Purdue "P" in black with a white outline on both sides. There are three stripes down the middle; two outer black ones, and one thick inner white one. The facemask is black.
Before Tiller, the team wore uniforms that sported the school's name across the front of the jersey, and the old gold color was more pronounced, with almost a copper hue. In Tiller's first season, the helmet color was lightened substantially, as was the gold used on the rest of the uniform.
Purdue's Pride sticker (given out for good performances) was the Purdue logo (locomotive). This was changed in 2006 to a sledgehammer with the slant "P" in the hammer's head (like the one wielded by mascot Purdue Pete). In the 2006 game against the Indiana State Sycamores
Indiana State Sycamores football
The Indiana State Sycamores football team is the NCAA Division I men's football program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Playoffs in the 1984 NCAA Division I Football...
, Purdue wore a throwback uniform from 1966, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the school's first Rose Bowl team. It featured a white jersey with two outer black stripes on the shoulder and one inner gold stripe. The numerals were black with no outline. They wore gold pants with two black stripes on the sides, and the helmets were old gold with black numbers and one black stripe down the middle. The gold in the throwback uniforms was more yellow in hue than that in the regular 1997–present uniforms.
In 2002, Purdue changed from its black home jersey to an old gold jersey. The old gold uniforms had white numerals and black outline for home games, and white uniforms with old gold numbers and back outline for away games. Some complained that the numerals on the jersey were too hard to see, so in 2003 they changed to an old gold jersey with black numerals outlined in white, and white pants with two black stripes down the sides. After losing their opening game at home to Bowling Green, Tiller and the team decided to dump the gold jerseys and go back to the black uniforms. After they changed back to the black uniforms, the team came out to Back in Black
Back in Black
Back in Black is an album by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is the seventh Australian and sixth internationally released studio album by the band....
by AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
for every home game in 2003. Since then, Purdue has stayed with the black uniforms. In one game against Wisconsin in 2006, the Boilermakers wore the black jersey with black pants. They hadn't sported an all-black look at home since the last game of the season in 1996 against Indiana.
In 2009, Purdue also wore the Black on Black in a night game against Notre Dame on the Purdue Blackout, and then wore them for the remainder of their home games. In 2010, the Black on Black remained the normal home uniform with the exception being the Homecoming game against Minnesota where the team donned Throwback Uniforms for the 2001 Rosebowl team. While the original jerseys were made by Champion, the replicas were Nike branded.
"Spoilermakers"
Purdue has knocked off the #1 rankedAP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
football team in college football seven times over the years—the third most of all the Division I teams in college football. Only Notre Dame and Oklahoma have accomplished this more times.
Current staff
| Name | Position | Year at Purdue | Alma Mater Alma mater Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Hope Danny Hope -External links:*... |
Head Coach | 3rd | Eastern Kentucky Eastern Kentucky University Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools... |
| Gary Nord Gary Nord Gary Nord is an American football coach, currently serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coachfor the Purdue Boilermakers college football team... |
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach | 3rd | Louisville University of Louisville The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General... |
| Gary Emanuel | Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach | 2nd | Plymouth State Plymouth State University Plymouth State University, formerly Plymouth State College, is a regional comprehensive university located in Plymouth, New Hampshire and part of the University System of New Hampshire.... |
| J.B. Gibboney | Special Teams Coordinator | 3rd | Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of... |
| Cornell Jackson | Running Backs Coach | 3rd | Sterling College Sterling College (Kansas) Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts college located in Sterling, Kansas with a mission "to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith." The school is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and... |
| Lou Anarumo | Defensive Backs Coach | 8th | Wagner Wagner College Wagner College is a private, co-educational, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 total students located atop Grymes Hill in New York City's borough of Staten Island... |
| Shawn Clark | Offensive Line Coach | 3rd | Appalachian State Appalachian State University Appalachian State University is a comprehensive , public, coeducational university located in Boone, North Carolina, United States. Appalachian State, also referred to as Appalachian, App State, or simply App, is the sixth largest institution in the University of North Carolina system... |
| Donn Landholm | Outside Linebackers Coach | 3rd | Wayne State Wayne State University Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and... |
| Phil Elmassian | Inside Linebackers Coach | 2nd (2nd stint) | William & Mary |
| Patrick Higgins | Wide Receivers Coach | 1st | William Penn William Penn University William Penn University is a private, liberal arts university in Oskaloosa, Iowa, United States. It was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends in 1873 as Penn College... |
Head coaches
| Years | Coach | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887 | Albert Berg Albert Berg -External links:... |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| 1888 | No Team | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| 1889 | George Andrew Reisner | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 |
| 1890 | Clinton L. Hare | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | .500 |
| 1891-1892 | Knowlton Ames Knowlton Ames Knowlton Lyman "Snake" Ames was an American football player and coach. He scored 730 points for Princeton from 1886 to 1889, including 62 touchdowns. The achievement of scoring 730 points is an unofficial college football career record, although only records set since the NCAA began keeping... |
2 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1893-1895, 1901 | D.M. Balliet D.M. Balliet David Milton "Pete" Balliet was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Auburn University for one game in February 1893, at Purdue University from 1893 to 1895 and again in 1901, and at Washington and Lee University from 1903 to 1904, compiling a career... |
4 | 22 | 10 | 2 | .647 |
| 1896 | S. M. Hammond S. M. Hammond -External links:... |
1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | .571 |
| 1897 | William H. Church | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | .556 |
| 1898-1900 | Alpha Jamison Alpha Jamison -External links:* at College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com... |
3 | 11 | 11 | 1 | .478 |
| 1902 | Charles Best | 1 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .700 |
| 1903-1904 | Oliver Cutts Oliver Cutts -External links:... |
2 | 13 | 5 | 0 | .722 |
| 1905 | Albert E. Herrnstein Albert E. Herrnstein Albert Ernest Herrnstein was an American football player and coach. He played at the University of Michigan as a halfback and end from 1899–1902 and was the head football coach at the Haskell Indian School , Purdue University , and Ohio State University .-University of Michigan:A native of... |
1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | .750 |
| 1906 | Myron E. Witham | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 |
| 1907 | Leigh C. Turner Leigh C. Turner -External links:... |
1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 |
| 1908-1909 | Frederick A. Speik Frederick A. Speik Frederick Adolph Speik was an American football player and coach. He played for the University of Chicago from 1901 to 1904 and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1904. He was the head football coach at Purdue University from 1908 to 1909, compiling a record of 6–8.-Early... |
2 | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 |
| 1910-1912 | Bill Horr Bill Horr -External links:* * at Syracuse Hall of Fame*... |
3 | 8 | 11 | 1 | .400 |
| 1913-1915 | Andy Smith Andy Smith (coach) Andrew Latham "Andy" Smith was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania , Purdue University , and the University of California, Berkeley , compiling a career college football record of 116–32–13... |
3 | 12 | 6 | 3 | .571 |
| 1916-1917 | Cleo A. O'Donnell Cleo A. O'Donnell Cleo A. O'Donnell was an American football player and coach. He played college football at College of the Holy Cross from 1904 to 1907. He was a football coach at Everett High School , Purdue University , Holy Cross and Saint Anselm College... |
2 | 5 | 8 | 1 | .357 |
| 1918-1920 | A. G. Scanlon | 3 | 7 | 12 | 1 | .350 |
| 1921 | William Henry Dietz William Henry Dietz William Henry "Lone Star" Dietz was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at Washington State University , Purdue University , Louisiana Tech University , University of Wyoming , and Albright College compiling a career college football record of 70–47–6... |
1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | .167 |
| 1922-1929 | James Phelan | 8 | 35 | 22 | 5 | .565 |
| 1930-1936 | Noble Kizer Noble Kizer -External links:*... |
7 | 42 | 13 | 3 | .724 |
| 1937-1941 | Mal Elward Allen Elward -External links:... |
5 | 16 | 18 | 6 | .533 |
| 1942-1943 | Elmer Burnham Elmer Burnham -External links:... |
2 | 10 | 8 | 0 | .556 |
| 1944-1945 | Cecil Isbell Cecil Isbell -Pro:-External links:... |
2 | 14 | 14 | 1 | .483 |
| 1946-1955 | Stu Holcomb Stu Holcomb Stuart K. Holcomb was an American football and basketball coach best known for serving as head football coach for Miami University and Purdue University . Before coaching, Holcomb was a starting halfback at Ohio State University and the captain of the 1931 Buckeyes football team... |
9 | 35 | 42 | 4 | .432 |
| 1956-1969 | Jack Mollenkopf Jack Mollenkopf -External links:* at Indiana Football Hall of Fame... |
14 | 84 | 39 | 9 | .636 |
| 1970-1972 | Bob DeMoss Bob DeMoss Robert Alonzo "Bob" DeMoss is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Purdue University from 1970 to 1972, compiling a career college football record of 13–18. DeMoss played football as a quarterback at Purdue... |
3 | 13 | 18 | 0 | .419 |
| 1973-1976 | Alex Agase Alex Agase -External links:... |
4 | 18 | 25 | 1 | .409 |
| 1977-1981 | Jim Young Jim Young (American football coach) -External links:... |
5 | 38 | 19 | 1 | .655 |
| 1982-1986 | Leon Burtnett Leon Burtnett Leon Burtnett is an assistant football coach at the University of Houston and was the head football coach at Purdue University from 1982 to 1986.... |
5 | 21 | 34 | 1 | .375 |
| 1987-1990 | Fred Akers Fred Akers -External links:*... |
4 | 12 | 31 | 1 | .353 |
| 1991-1996 | Jim Colletto Jim Colletto -External links:* *... |
6 | 21 | 42 | 3 | .344 |
| 1997-2008 | Joe Tiller Joe Tiller Joe Tiller is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Wyoming from 1991 to 1996 and Purdue University from 1997 to 2008, compliling a career college football record of 126–92–1... |
12 | 87 | 62 | - | .584 |
| 2009-present | Danny Hope Danny Hope -External links:*... |
3rd | 9 | 15 | - | .375 |
| Totals | Coaches | Seasons | Wins | Losses | Ties | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887–2010 | 34 | 122 | 579 | 502 | 48 | .513 |
Cradle of Quarterbacks
| Name | Years as Starter | NFL Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Curtis Painter Curtis Painter Curtis Jeffrey Painter is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-High school career:... |
2005-08 | 201st Pick by the Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
| Kyle Orton Kyle Orton Kyle Orton is an American football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue, where he started four straight bowl games. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft... |
2001-04 | 106th Pick by the Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Drew Brees Drew Brees Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.... |
1997-2000 | 32nd Pick by the San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Jim Everett Jim Everett James Samuel Everett III is a retired professional American football quarterback who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League .... |
1981-85 | 3rd Pick by the Houston Oilers |
| Scott Campbell Scott Campbell Scott Campbell may refer to:*Scott Campbell American artist*Scott Campbell , composer and actor... |
1980-83 | 191st Pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
| Mark Herrmann Mark Herrmann Mark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers... |
1977-80 | 98th Pick by the Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Gary Danielson Gary Danielson Gary Danielson is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League . He played for the Detroit Lions from 1976 to 1984 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1985, 1987, and 1988... |
1970-72 | Went Undrafted |
| Mike Phipps Mike Phipps Michael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,... |
1967-69 | 3rd Pick by the Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Bob Griese Bob Griese Robert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins... |
1964-66 | 4th Pick by the Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Len Dawson Len Dawson Leonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs... |
1954-56 | 5th Pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
| Dale Samuels | 1950-52 | 28th Pick by the Chicago Cardinals |
| Bob DeMoss Bob DeMoss Robert Alonzo "Bob" DeMoss is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Purdue University from 1970 to 1972, compiling a career college football record of 13–18. DeMoss played football as a quarterback at Purdue... |
1945-50 | 280th Pick by the New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
| Cecil Isbell Cecil Isbell -Pro:-External links:... |
1935-37 | 7th Pick by the Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
Bowl games (8-7)
- 1967 Rose Bowl1967 Rose BowlThe 1967 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on Monday, January 2, 1967. It was the 53rd Rose Bowl Game. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the USC Trojans, 14–13. John Charles, the Purdue defensive back, was named the Rose Bowl Player Of The Game.-Teams:This was the first Rose...
(W 14-13 vs. USC) - 1978 Peach Bowl (W 41-21 vs. Georgia Tech)
- 1979 Bluebonnet Bowl (W 27-22 vs. Tennessee)
- 1980 Liberty Bowl (W 28-25 vs. Missouri)
- 1984 Peach Bowl1984 Peach BowlThe 1984 Peach Bowl featured the of the Big Ten against the of the ACC. Virginia defeated Purdue 27-24.Purdue jumped out to a 24-14 halftime lead, However, Virginia scored the only points of the second half with a touchdown and two field goals in order to pull out the win...
(L 24-27 vs. Virginia) - 1997 Alamo Bowl1997 Alamo BowlThe 1997 edition to the Alamo Bowl featured the Purdue Boilermakers, and the .Oklahoma State took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal. Purdue responded with an 18 yard touchdown pass from Billy Dicken, to take a 7-3 lead...
(W 33-20 vs. Oklahoma State) - 1998 Alamo Bowl1998 Alamo BowlThe 1998 Alamo Bowl featured the Kansas State Wildcats and the Purdue Boilermakers.The Wildcats came into the game fresh off a double overtime loss in the Big 12 Championship Game to the Texas A&M Aggies, which ruined their chance at a national championship in the Fiesta Bowl...
(W 37-34 vs. Kansas State) - 2000 Outback Bowl2000 Outback BowlThe 2000 edition to the Outback Bowl featured the Georgia Bulldogs and the Purdue Boilermakers.Purdue quarterback Drew Brees threw touchdown passes of 3 and 11 yards to wide receiver Chris Daniels as Purdue opened up a 13-0 lead. Brees fired a 21 yard touchdown pass to Vinny Sutherland as Purdue...
(L 25-28 vs. Georgia) - 2001 Rose Bowl2001 Rose BowlThe 2001 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2001. It was the 87th Rose Bowl game. The University of Washington Huskies football team defeated the Purdue University Boilermakers football team 34-24...
(L 24-34 vs. Washington) - 2001 Sun Bowl2001 Sun BowlThe 2001 Wells Fargo Sun Bowl edition to the Sun Bowl featured the Washington State Cougars, and the Purdue Boilermakers.Washington State's Jason David scored the game's first touchdown on a 45 yard interception return for a 7-0 WSU lead. Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser later threw a 46...
(L 27-33 vs. Washington State) - 2002 Sun Bowl2002 Sun BowlThe 2002 Wells Fargo Sun Bowl featured the Washington Huskies, and the Purdue Boilermakers. This game was a rematch of the 2001 Rose Bowl.Washington scored first when quarterback Cody Pickett threw a 7 yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Patrick Reddick for an early 7-0 lead...
(W 34-24 vs. Washington) - 2004 Capital One Bowl2004 Capital One BowlThe 2004 Capital One Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Georgia Bulldogs on January 1, 2004, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Georgia entered the game after a disappointing loss in the SEC Championship Game, while Purdue entered as the...
(L 27-34 vs. Georgia) - 2004 Sun Bowl2004 Sun BowlThe 2004 Vitalis Sun Bowl featured the Arizona State Sun Devils, and the Purdue Boilermakers.Arizona State's place kicker, Jessie Ainsworth kicked a 22 yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead. Arizona State's running back, Preston Jones was tackled in the end zone by...
(L 23-27 vs. Arizona State) - 2006 Champs Sports Bowl2006 Champs Sports BowlThe 2006 Champs Sports Bowl was played on December 29, 2006. This 17th edition to the college football bowl game featured the Maryland Terrapins and the Purdue Boilermakers....
(L 7-24 vs. Maryland) - 2007 Motor City Bowl2007 Motor City BowlThe 2007 Motor City Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, occurred on December 26, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, United States....
(W 51-48 vs. Central Michigan)
Trophy games
- Old Oaken BucketOld Oaken BucketThe Old Oaken Bucket is the name of the trophy that is annually awarded to the winner of the Big Ten Conference college football game between Indiana University and Purdue University. It is one of the oldest football trophies in the nation...
- Indiana HoosiersIndiana Hoosiers footballThe Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:... - Shillelagh TrophyShillelagh TrophyThe Shillelagh Trophy is a trophy exchanged between Notre Dame and Purdue, being held by the winner of the annual football game. The two in-state rivals first played each other in 1896 and the game has occurred annually since 1946. The trophy, first presented in 1957, is a club donated by Joe...
- Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting Irish footballNotre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an... - Purdue CannonPurdue CannonThe Purdue Cannon is presented to the winner of the University of Illinois-Purdue University football game. The cannon was conceived by Purdue students 95 years ago but was first presented as a trophy by an Illinois alumnus in 1943....
- Illinois Fighting IlliniIllinois Fighting Illini footballThe Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51...
Individual award winners
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
- Drew BreesDrew BreesDrew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- 2000- Sammy Baugh TrophySammy Baugh TrophyThe Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The award is named in honor of former Texas Christian University and Washington Redskins quarterback "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus since 1959...
- Sammy Baugh Trophy
- Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
- 1966 - Mike PhippsMike PhippsMichael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
- 1969 - Mark HerrmannMark HerrmannMark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers...
- 1980- Ray Guy AwardRay Guy AwardThe Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
- Ray Guy Award
- Travis DorschTravis DorschTravis Dorsch is a PhD student in sport psychology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Dorsch is a former American football placekicker and punter of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
- 2001- John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
- John Mackey Award
- Tim StrattonTim StrattonTimothy William Stratton is a former American football tight end. He played his college football at Purdue University and won the inaugural John Mackey Award in 2000....
- 2000- Chicago Tribune Silver FootballChicago Tribune Silver FootballThe Chicago Tribune Silver Football is awarded by the Chicago Tribune to the college football player determined to be the best player from the Big Ten Conference. The award has been presented annually since 1924, when Red Grange of Illinois was the award's first recipient.The winner of the Silver...
- Chicago Tribune Silver Football
- Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
- 1966 - Leroy KeyesLeroy KeyesMarvin Leroy Keyes is a former American football running back and safety who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue...
- 1967 - Mike PhippsMike PhippsMichael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
- 1969 - Otis ArmstrongOtis ArmstrongOtis Armstrong was a running back in the NFL. He played for the Denver Broncos for his entire career from 1973-1980. Before his NFL career, Armstrong played for Purdue University becoming the school's all-time leading rusher...
- 1972 - Mark HerrmannMark HerrmannMark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers...
- 1980 - Drew BreesDrew BreesDrew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- 2000
Players
- Elmer OliphantElmer OliphantElmer Quillen Oliphant, nicknamed Catchie or Catchy, Olie or Ollie was an American football player.-High school:...
, 1955 - Alex AgaseAlex Agase-External links:...
, 1963 - Mark HerrmannMark HerrmannMark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers...
, 2010 - Cecil IsbellCecil Isbell-Pro:-External links:...
, 1967 - Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
, 1984 - Chalmers "Bump" ElliottBump ElliottChalmers W. "Bump" Elliott is a former American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He played halfback at Purdue University and the University of Michigan...
, 1989 - Leroy KeyesLeroy KeyesMarvin Leroy Keyes is a former American football running back and safety who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue...
, 1990 - Mike PhippsMike PhippsMichael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
, 2006
Coaches
- Andy SmithAndy Smith (coach)Andrew Latham "Andy" Smith was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania , Purdue University , and the University of California, Berkeley , compiling a career college football record of 116–32–13...
, 1951 - Jim Phelan, 1973
- Jack MollenkopfJack Mollenkopf-External links:* at Indiana Football Hall of Fame...
, 1988 - Jim YoungJim Young (American football coach)-External links:...
, 1999
Current NFL players
- Kyle AdamsKyle AdamsKyle Robert Adams is an American football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:...
- Cliff AvrilCliff AvrilClifford Samuel Avril is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:...
- Drew BreesDrew BreesDrew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Ray EdwardsRay EdwardsRaymond James Edwards, Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Edwards attended Woodward High School in...
- Nick HardwickNick Hardwick (football player)Nicholas Adam Hardwick is an American football center for the San Diego Chargers. He was drafted by the Chargers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-College career:...
- Dustin KellerDustin Keller-New York Jets:Keller was drafted by the New York Jets 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Keller was slowly phased into the offense and eventually finished with productive numbers in part of the presence of the veteran Brett Favre. Keller finished a strong rookie season with 48 receptions, 535...
- Ryan KerriganRyan KerriganPatrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American football linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Redskins with the 16th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-Early years:Kerrigan attended Muncie Central High...
- Brandon KingBrandon KingBrandon Marico King is an American football cornerback who is currently a member of the Miami Dolphins. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Purdue....
- Matt LightMatt LightMatthew Charles Light is an American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Light was born in Greenville, Ohio...
- Mike NealMike NealMichael Jamel Neal is an American football defensive end for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Rob NinkovichRob NinkovichRobert Michael Ninkovich is an American football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Ninkovich has also played for the Miami Dolphins.-Early...
- Uche NwaneriUche NwaneriUchechukwu Eberechukwu "Uche" Nwaneri is an American football player who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Uche was born in Dallas, Texas on March 20, 1984. He played Guard for Purdue University after graduating from Naaman Forest High School...
- Kyle OrtonKyle OrtonKyle Orton is an American football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue, where he started four straight bowl games. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
- Mike Otto
- Curtis PainterCurtis PainterCurtis Jeffrey Painter is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-High school career:...
- Shaun PhillipsShaun Phillips- San Diego Chargers :As a rookie, Shaun Phillips played in all 16 games and was second on the team with four sacks. He continued to improve in his second season as he recorded seven sacks in 15 games, good for second on the team....
- Bernard PollardBernard PollardBernard Karmell Pollard is an American football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- Anthony SpencerAnthony SpencerAnthony E. Spencer II is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cowboys 26th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-High school career:Spencer played high school football at Bishop Luers High...
- Torri WilliamsTorri WilliamsTorri Sherrod Williams is an American football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Purdue.-Houston Texans:...
Current Professional players in other leagues
- Kelly ButlerKelly ButlerKelly Don Butler is a Canadian football offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of CFL. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
- CFLCanadian footballCanadian football is a form of gridiron football played exclusively in Canada in which two teams of 12 players each compete for territorial control of a field of play long and wide attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's scoring area...
, Winnipeg Blue BombersWinnipeg Blue BombersThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded... - Stuart SchweigertStuart SchweigertStuart Schweigert is an American football safety for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:Schweigert played quarterback and safety for Saginaw Heritage...
- UFL, Omaha NighthawksOmaha NighthawksThe Omaha Nighthawks are a professional American football team based in Omaha, Nebraska, which plays in the United Football League, joining the league as an expansion team in 2010. For their first season, the Nighthawks played their home games at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium before moving to TD... - John StandefordJohn StandefordJohn William Standeford is an American football wide receiver for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
- UFL, Virginia Destroyers - Joey ElliottJoey ElliottJoseph Preston Elliott is an American football quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Purdue....
- CFL, Winnipeg Blue Bombers - Greg OrtonGreg OrtonGregory Carlton Orton was an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Denver Broncos. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
- AFLArena Football LeagueThe Arena Football League is the highest level of professional indoor American football in the United States. It is currently the second longest running professional football league in the United States, after the National Football League. It was founded in 1987 by Jim Foster...
, Arizona RattlersArizona RattlersThe Arizona Rattlers are a professional arena football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Conference in the Arena Football League . The Rattlers were founded in 1992 as an expansion team. They play their home games at US Airways Center... - Aaron Valentine - AFL, Arizona Rattlers
- Dwight Mclean - ARL, Arizona Rattlers
Former players
- Mike AlstottMike AlstottMichael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
- Jim EverettJim EverettJames Samuel Everett III is a retired professional American football quarterback who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League ....
- Gary DanielsonGary DanielsonGary Danielson is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League . He played for the Detroit Lions from 1976 to 1984 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1985, 1987, and 1988...
- Charles DavisCharles Davis (tight end)Charles Suonne Davis, Jr. is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
- Gene MruczkowskiGene MruczkowskiGene Vincent Mruczkowski is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Purdue....
- Lamar LundyLamar LundyLamar J. Lundy, Jr. was an American defensive end with the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League for 13 seasons, from 1957 to 1969. Along with Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, and Rosey Grier, Lundy was a member of the Fearsome Foursome, often considered one of the best defensive lines in...
- Darryl StingleyDarryl StingleyDarryl Floyd Stingley was an American professional football wide receiver whose career was cut short by an injury. He played his entire career with the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He died from heart disease and pneumonia complicated by quadriplegia.-Early life:Stingley...
- Perry WilliamsPerry Williams (running back)Perry Andrew Williams is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.Williams also played for the Chicago Bears.-External links:*...
- Rod WoodsonRod WoodsonRoderick Kevin "Rod" Woodson is the current cornerbacks coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He is also a former defensive back best known for his 10-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as being a key member of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XXXV championship...
- Mark BrownMark Brown (linebacker)Mark Anthony Brown is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions .-External links:*...
- Dave Young
- Keena TurnerKeena TurnerKeena Turner , is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1980 NFL Draft and traded on draft day to the San Francisco 49ers. A 6'2" 237 pound linebacker from Purdue University, Turner played in 11 NFL seasons and spent his entire...
- Jeff GeorgeJeff GeorgeJeffrey Scott "Jeff" George is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the first overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft...
- Rodney CarterRodney CarterRodney Carl Carter is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League. He played three seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers ....
- Jim BeirneJim BeirneJim Beirne was a wide receiver who played collegiately at Purdue University, where he was an All-American, and professionally for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, and the NFL's Oilers and San Diego Chargers.-See also:...
- John McKay
- Pete BrewsterPete BrewsterDarrel "Pete" Brewster is a former American football end and coach and collegiate football and basketball player.-College career:...
- Leroy KeyesLeroy KeyesMarvin Leroy Keyes is a former American football running back and safety who played five seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue...
- Chris Scott
- Steve Jackson
- Scott ConoverScott ConoverKelsey Scott Conover is a former professional football player.A native of Freehold Borough, New Jersey, Scott graduated from Freehold Borough HS and went on to attend and play football for Purdue University in Indiana. While at Purdue Scott was a defensive lineman for his first three seasons...
- Larry BowieLarry Bowie (guard)Larry Bowie is a former American football guard in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round of the 1962 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Cris DishmanCris DishmanCris Edward Dishman is a former American football cornerback who played for the Houston Oilers, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Washington Redskins during his thirteen year career from 1988 to 2000 in the National Football League.-Early career:Dishman played college football...
- Billy Dicken
- Don BrummDon BrummDonald Dwain Brumm is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles. He went to one Pro Bowl during his ten-year career. Brumm played college football at Purdue University and was drafted in the first round of...
- Ian AllenIan AllenIan Basil Alston Allen is a former West Indian cricketer who played in two Tests in 1991....
- Cliff BensonCliff BensonClifford Anthony Benson is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins, and the New Orleans Saints. He played college football at Purdue University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft....
- Ray Wallace
- Taylor StubblefieldTaylor StubblefieldTaylor Evans Stubblefield is a former American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers and St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He left Purdue owning the most receptions in NCAA history. Stubblefield is currently a wide receivers coach at Central Michigan University. A...
- Mel Gray
- Mark Jackson
- Calvin WilliamsCalvin WilliamsCalvin John Williams is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1990 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 181-lb...
- Scott CampbellScott Campbell (American football)Robert Scott Campbell is a former professional American football player who played quarterback for six seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. He played collegiately at Purdue University. He is currently a real estate broker and owner of Brownstone Realty in Hershey,...
- Mark HerrmannMark HerrmannMark James Herrmann is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the NFL. He was Associate Director of Educational Programs for the NCAA, before budget cutbacks. However, he is best known for his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers...
- Gilbert GardnerGilbert GardnerGilbert Ravelle Gardner, II is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Jon GoldsberryJon GoldsberryJon Goldsberry is a former fullback in the National Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2005, before being cut on September 3, 2005 and then re-signed to the Bills practice squad on September 5, 2005. On December 30, 2005 he was promoted to...
- Ron MeyerRon Meyer-References:...
- Bob DeMoss
- Wayne Gift
- Pete Lougheed
- Vinny SutherlandVinny SutherlandVincent Joseph Sutherland is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for two seasons in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears. He was a standout receiver and kick returner for Purdue University from 1997-2000...
- Dave ButzDave ButzDavid Butz is a former American Football defensive lineman in the National Football League who played for the St...
- Chukky OkobiChukky OkobiChukwunweze Sonume "Chukky" Okobi is a former American football center and commercial actor. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
- Steve BaumgartnerSteve BaumgartnerSteven John Baumgartner is a former professional American football player who played defensive end for seven seasons for the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Oilers....
- Gregg BinghamGregg BinghamGregg Bingham was a National Football League linebacker from 1973 through 1985 for the Houston Oilers.He played for Gordon Tech high school where is was a tight end and linebacker and was the teams leading tackler....
- Mike PruittMike PruittMichael Pruitt is a former American football running back who played eleven seasons from 1976 to 1986 with the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League...
- Scott DierkingScott DierkingScott Dierking was a running back in the NFL. He played for the New York Jets from 1977-1983. Before his NFL career, he played for Purdue University....
- Bob GrieseBob GrieseRobert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
- Len DawsonLen DawsonLeonard Ray "Len" "Lenny" Dawson is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who attended Purdue University and went on to play for three professional teams, most notably the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs...
- Ryan Herbert
- Fred StricklandFred StricklandFredrick William Strickland, Jr. is a former American football linebacker who played for twelve seasons in the National Football League from 1988 to 1999. He played college football at Purdue University and was drafted in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft....
- Matt Pike
- Tim Foley
- Hank StramHank StramHenry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
- Brandon Villarreal
- Bill KayBill Kay (American football)William Henry "Bill" Kay is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for four seasons for the Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers, and St. Louis Cardinals He played college football at Purdue University . Kay was a defensive back and a four year Varsity P Club award...