In their own words..

Purdue Band alums share special memories of Golden Girls

William Burk: I remember arriving in the caravan of buses at the Notre Dame practice field next to their dorms. Teddy Darling was dressed in gold toreador pants that almost looked like she had been painted with gold paint. The "men" of Notre Dame literally flowed out of their dorms to google at Teddy and the other girls. When we marched to and from the stadium we had to surround the girls with the first few ranks of trombones.

Larry Burkhart: While at Purdue, I got a job at the outdoor ice rink behind the Co-Rec Gym as a rink guard. We went early to "shovel off" the ice before skating began. One evening, Teddy Darling arrived early and asked if she could practice with racing blades, which were prohibited during public skating. "Sure you can skate" was the answer. We discussed the AAMB and all the activities often. One day Teddie said she had something that would go well with my hat and keep my neck warm while on the outdoor rink. She took off a long silk gold scarf and gave it to me and said thanks for letting her skate early. After that, I wore the scarf when at the rink. Along with many other memories, I still have the gold scarf and a Chicago Tribune magazine with Teddy Darling featured on the front cover.

Raymond E. Davis: I was in the band when Juanita Carpenter became Golden Girl No. 1. My final semester was the fall of 1956. I held the rank of Captain and my assignment for the pregame uniform inspection was to "inspect" the Golden Girl and the twirling line for the correct uniform, polished boots, etc. About the third game, I received instructions to add correct application of leg makeup to my inspection criteria. Although, not opposed to admiring female limbs, I found commenting on and "demeriting" them in public somewhat uncomfortable; but in the Spirit of the "All-American" Marching Band, I did the job.

Burt Etchison: San Cristobal, Venezuela, Olympic Village, Midnight: A band from Panama walked through the international group's sleeping quarters, playing Latin music. In 10 minutes, several groups were awake and were downstairs, dancing on the outdoor basketball court. A tall Panamanian dancer took an obvious shine to golden girl Kathy Burke and they moved to the center of the "dance floor" to show off some moves. He performed several obviously choreographed motions using a bowler hat, rolling it down his arm, flipping it back on his head, etc, then handed the hat to her, expectantly. She deadpanned a look, dropped the hat upside down, then with lightning speed in one motion, dropped into a perfect split leaning forward enough to put her head into the upturned hat and popped back up to her feet with the hat at a rakish angle. This move stole the show and was much appreciated.

Carol Macola: Back in the winter- spring of 1970, women in the bands were finally allowed to wear pants to practice in as opposed to skirts and dresses. Valerie Brown , Golden Girl and oboe player, came to practice one day in white pants with cutouts on the outside of the legs. Professor Heath's eyes watched the oboe section exclusively that day.

Brian William "Bill" Maxey: I have one Golden Girl story I can share, dating back to when Adelaide Darling was Golden Girl. It was 1957 or 58 and the band was playing on national television at Notre Dame. The half-time show included a hula dance by the Golden Girl, with appropriate accompanying music and motion from the band. From my position in the trumpet section, I was so captivated by Addie's seductive gyrations that I messed up the routine! With my eyes fixed where they shouldn't have been fixed, I failed to bow down from the waist along with all the other band members, and was on national TV standing straight up while everyone else had swayed down. I didn't mind the national TV exposure of this error, the real problem was in the videotape which Al G. Wright played on Monday, and re-played, and re-played. I got a boatload of demerits and, yes, I got to carry the FUBAR board for that week. In my years with the Purdue band, that was my one moment of fame. Make that infamy.

Tom Miller: In 1964, a band group went to Cali, Columbia, with June Ciampa who had a routine with fire batons. Semesters at that time straddled Christmas so the band members only rehearsed the tune for her routine once before the trip. The performance was done in an outdoor soccer stadium field at night. The band did parts of its show. Then it was time for June's routine. All the band members had to do was to get out the music and stand still playing the tune for her routine. The people of South America thought the fire batons were neat and turned out the lights for her routine. The band didn't know the tune at all and couldn't read the music in the dark. Al Wright cut the band off and quickly yelled "HAIL PURDUE". June adjusted her routine to "HAIL PURDUE" which the locals didn't know.

Stephanie Hunter Mollenhauer: In seeing Anne Lopnow , you would think that she was just some blond with a head full of fluff. I was guilty of this until I got to know her. Her sharp wit and amazing sense of pride fully embodies my true feelings of a Golden Girl.

Linda Gould Nierman: I'll never forget the roar of the fans at Notre Dame when Golden Girl Sandy Hutchinson appeared with the band. The majorettes were all on the 50-yard line, the field was wet and slippery but the entire show was very successful. We all looked great. Later the cover of Life magazine said the same.

Michael Pickett: I was one of the few freshman to accompany the band to Venezuela in January 1976. The Golden Girl Kathy Burkle was a real trooper! She was the star of our show. We had a blast, but it was a very exhausting trip. She set a good example for all of us especially the younger members like me, making sure everyone was upbeat and making positive impressions on our hosts.

Kelli Ratcliffe Reed: The year I was the Girl in Black, my sister Kimberlie Ratcliffe was the Golden Girl and the Silver twins were Lani and Bibi Barnes. It was a big deal to have all feature twirlers as sisters that year.

Shawna Hawkins Tully: I went to Singapore with the band. Holly Fehrman , the Golden Girl at the time, and I could not go anywhere without having people stare at our blond hair. In fact, when we were touring a man stopped and asked to take our picture.

Jim and Liz Vardaman: A newspaper article in 1995: Brunette, But Golden nonetheless heralded Dawn Vardaman a senior from Eden Prairie, Minn., the first Brunette to hold the prestigious title of Golden Girl at Purdue. Vardaman was Golden Girl XIX.

Rob Ballard: During the 2002 season, the Golden Girl Robyn Andrews was performing her usual routine for the Pre- Game show at one of the many football games of that year, until she became very, very scared and startled. But then again I would have had the same reaction too if I suddenly turned around to see the World's Largest Drum and crew sprinting towards me during "Varsity." My heart was also pounding when I realized that due to slight misplacements by the crew and Robyn we had almost killed the Golden Girl.

Bill Andrews (golden girl 23's Dad) : I am not an alumni but I have some good memories of Golden girl #23

"My daughter".  One of the best was seeing her and the then girl in black (Krista Woodward) Sign autographs at the 2002 homecoming event. They had their pictures taken with baby's all the way up to senior alumni many it seemed in there 90's. Both Robyn & Krista had baseball type cards with their pictures on them and must have signed and given away hundreds of them.

Then there was seeing her lead the band in Indianapolis 500 parade and race day festivities. After being in the parade as a member of the twirling line for 2 years and as girl in black for her Junior year to see her lead the band during her last duties as Golden Girl was as much a thrill for her mom and I as it was for Robyn.

Jennifer Morrow Jackson: As a wide-eyed 10 year old twirling student of hers, I precisely recall the
moment I saw that Selita Sue Smith had been transformed from a raven haired beauty to the gorgeous blonde everyone remembers...breath taking to say the least!  Without a word, that's when I knew my family would be attending Purdue's home football games!

From 1969-1972 she was the queen of all baton twirlers, the fairest in the land...she was the first Golden Girl to wear the knee high white boots...her baton even had a gold shaft, specially made for her.....I remember most the times our family stood and watched the All- American Marching Band coming down the street and into the stadium....I thought my heart would burst!  Selita would never break stride as she acknowledged us with a wink and the slightest wiggle of the fingers of her left hand.....and when the band performed the Star Spangled Banner?  She would slowly lift her left knee in a graceful pose....and hold it until the song had ended.....Wow!

Her final performance as Golden Girl in 1972 was the end of an era....for my family's treks to West Lafayette.....for Selita as the world's most famous baton twirler....and for Purdue, the loveliest Golden Girl of them all had graced
her field for the last time.

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