Boiler Up – My trip to Purdue University

Driving to Purdue

I arrived on campus at 10:45 AM, and found a parking place within 4 blocks of the stadium.  Parking was only $10, and the lots were not full.  I walked around the campus a little, but it did not take me long to look for a place to warm up.  The Engineering buildings were open, so I just let myself in.  There were some students working on laptops, but other than that, the buildings were quiet.  Most important, the building  was warm.   I walked out the back door, and came upon the statue of Neil Armstrong.  I was unaware that the first person to walk on the moon is a graduate of Purdue University.  Next to his statue are cast impressions of his footprints on the moon.  In what I learned later is the Neil Armstrong  Hall of Engineering, there is a full scale replica of the Apollo 1 command module.  The astronaut Robert Bruce Chafee, another graduate of Purdue University, was killed in Apollo 1 when a fire broke out.   

Outside the Neil Armstrong Pavillion

Casts of moon walk prints near statue of Neil Armstrong

After warming up and looking through this building, I headed to the stadium.  I ran across many students dressed in Halloween costumes.  When I inquired about the wearing a costume a full week after Halloween, I learned of my first Purdue tradition; Breakfast Club.  On the days of home football games, bars open early (7:00 AM).  Students get up, get dressed in Costumes, and head to the bars for some pre game priming.  Its like Halloween seven times a year (though with alcohol instead of candy).    

The Big Drum

The Purdue Marching Band

Before entering the stadium, I was able to catch the Purdue Marching Band and the ‘World’s Largest Drum’.  The band is good, followed by the large drum being pushed by 4 students in silver helmets.  Also in the march, is the X-tra Special, an old time locomotive that many consider an un-official mascot of Purdue.  The X-tra Special also leads the football team on the field.   

Making my way to the stadium

Thats me with the scoreboard in the background

Ross-Ade Stadium, like most Big Ten venues, is an older stadium that had undergone multiple renovations.  It’s named for its two principle benefactors, David Ross  and George Ade.  They purchased the original site and presented it to the University. The stadium seats 62,500 (small by Big Ten standards),  but boasts a large video board for replays and announcements.  It is a friendly atmosphere to watch a game.   

Purdue takes the field

Before the game, the marching band leader recites the ‘I am an American’ speech, while flags are draped across the field.  This tradition dates back almost 50 years.  The marching band breaks ranks and forms the letter P to mark game time.   Kickoffs are highlighted by everyone rattling their keys.  After big plays by Purdue, or possession going to the Boilermakers, the chant of ‘Boiler Up’  goes through the stands.  On first downs, a cheer of 1-2-3-4 First Down followed by a swoosh.  I am pretty sure that many times this cheer is followed by an expletive, but not always.   

Walking around the campus

Purdue - a beautiful campus

The game was competitive through the first half, but slipped away from the Boilermakers in the third and fourth quarters.  The stadium began to empty with about 8 minutes left, after a Purdue turnover left the game out of reach.
It was definitely warmer now, so I walked around the campus.  I have to say, I am very impressed.  This is one of the nicer campuses I have ever seen.  It had a good mixture of trees, bike paths, walkways, and buildings.  The fall colors and cool temperatures gave it a campus feel.  It looked as if a lot of planning went in to the aesthetics of the campus.  The names of many of the famous Purdue graduates dot the campus.  Among those are the aforementioned Neil Armstrong, Drew Brees, and legendary coach John Wooden.  Those are some pretty big names to have in your alumni ranks.   

Pretty good names to put on the side of your buildings

More shots of the campus.

I would definitely go back to Purdue to enjoy the intimate football setting, the beautiful campus, and a lot of proud alumni.  A special kudos to the marching band and the cymbal section.  The band is excellent and the cymbal section unique.  See below for a sample.