Traditions and History

Boilermakers

With its reputation of recruiting students out of the boiler shops, Purdue was first called the "Boiler Makers" by a Crawfordsville reporter covering Purdue's 44-0 trouncing of Wabash College in October 1891, Lafayette newspapers picked up the name. In October 1892, The Purdue Exponent gave it the stamp of approval. In the early days of Purdue football, the team was called by other names as well, including "haymakers," "railsplitters," "sluggers," and "cornfield sailors."

“Boiler Up! Hammer Down!”

Made famous by Arnett Tiller, wife of Coach Joe Tiller, former head coach of the football team (1997-2008), Boilermakers say, “Boiler Up!” to express their school spirit. Coach Tiller previously coached at the University of Wyoming and used to cheer up his players with “Cowboy Up!” Arnett and Joe Tiller came up with “Boiler Up!” to cheer students and proclaim “Go Purdue” in a creative new way. It’s often heard on campus when someone wants to evoke school spirit. The response is “Hammer Down!”

The Purdue Reamer Club

Formed in 1923 – the Purdue Reamer Club supports Boilermaker spirit. It takes its name from its initial pledge that “Reamers smooth out the Gimlets” - Initially, the club’s founders competed with Greek organizations who named themselves the Gimlets to champion Boilermaker pride. Reamers are tools that smooth out holes made with gimlets. Reamer Club members keep the traditions of Purdue and care for the Purdue Specials.

The Boilermaker Special

The Boilermaker Special has a storied history as “the world’s largest, fastest, heaviest, and loudest collegiate mascot.” Conceived in 1939, when sophomore Israel “Izzy” Selkowitz wrote a letter to the Exponent, the locomotive body sits on a car chassis, allowing it to be used on and off campus for special events. A smaller iteration, the Boilermaker Xtra Special sits on a golf cart chassis and can be used indoors.

Purdue Pete

Purdue Pete (athletics) came about in 1940 when founders of University Bookstore, “Red” Samuels and “Doc” Eppell designed it based upon Carl Verplank, Purdue offensive forward who could run 100 yards in 10 seconds. The university adopted him as the official athletic mascot in 1958, and Purdue Pete appears at most sporting and special events. No one knows how “Pete” became his name.

All American Marching Band

The official band of Purdue and the Indianapolis 500 (since 1919), the All-American Marching Band formed in 1886 with five members of the Purdue Student Army Training Corp. Now 389 members strong, the band features the Purdue Big Bass Drum, the Purdue Gold Girl featured twirler, and the “Block P.”

The Big Bass Drum

Purdue’s Big Bass Brum is called the world’s largest drum standing over 10 feet when the carriage is included. Played by the All-American Marching Band at home games and the Indianapolis 500. The Leedy Company of Indianapolis built the drum in 1921 for $911.11 - Adjusted for inflation, $15,628.90 in 2023.

"Hail Purdue!"

Purdue’s official fight song sung at athletic events, “Hail Purdue” was sung at ceremonial occasions until the adoption of the Purdue Hymn. After the lyric "Thus we raise our song anew," singers raise one fist and shout, "Boiler up!" The Purdue All-American Marching Band interjects, "Fire up!" at the same point in the song, as they have traditionally done since the mid-1970s.

Listen and learn here!

Grand Prix

Known as “the greatest spectacle in college racing,” Purdue’s Grand Prix began in 1958. Drawing over 1000 spectators, the event raises money for Purdue student scholarships under the leadership of the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation whose motto is 'Students Helping Students.' The event has expanded to two events, an EV Grand Prix that attracts competitors throughout the U.S. and encourages innovation, as well as the traditional event. Held on a Saturday, the event includes associated festivities, parties, parades, and other events throughout the week. It attracts alumni who often return to campus for the weekend.

Old Oaken Bucket

The trophy that represents the longstanding gridiron rivalry between Purdue and Indiana University came out of a meeting of Chicago alumni from both schools who met in 1925 to select a suitable Hoosier symbol. They decided upon an old oaken bucket that “should be taken from some well in Indiana, and that a chain to be made of bronze block "I" and "P" letters should be provided for the bucket. The school winning the traditional football game each year should have possession of the "Old Oaken Bucket" until the next game and should attach the block letter representing the winning school to the bail with the score engraved on the latter link."

Harry's Chocolate Shop

Founded as an ice cream parlor and soda shop in 1919, Harry’s first served beer at the end of Prohibition in 1932. This rustic restaurant and bar sits across from Rawls Hall and remains a popular, often packed go-to for students and visitors. It’s the reported site for the signing of the Purdue Reamer Club constitution.

Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club tradition is honored on the morning of sporting events, particularly during the football season. Started in the mid-1980s by members of Theta Chi Fraternity to see how early establishments could open for drinking legally, students and alumni dress in costumes to fill local bars and nightclubs. Described as “a cross between a pep rally, a Halloween party, and a bar crawl,” some dedicated participants arise at 5:00 a.m. on Saturdays and lining up at the bars on Chauncey Hill and the Levee by 6:00 a.m. on game days.