October 5, 2016

Purdue celebrating Pete's 60th anniversary with reunion, commemorative items

Purdue Pete shirt Commemorative T-shirts are being sold to celebrate Purdue Pete's 60th anniversary. (Photo provided) Download image

A celebration of Purdue Pete's 60th year on the sidelines of Boilermaker athletic events is in full swing this fall.

Commemorative products are now available and a reunion is planned for Homecoming weekend Oct. 14-15 for current and former students who have portrayed Pete over the 60 years as a sideline character. 

A total of 81 different students have served as Pete since 1956, and 79 of them are still alive. More than 20 are expected to return to campus for a reunion the night before the Homecoming game vs. Iowa.

"Purdue Pete has been an icon at Purdue athletics events since 1956," says Steve Solberg, the Intercollegiate Athletics' advisor/coach for the cheerleaders and Petes. "It's amazing how people's faces light up when they see Pete and get a picture with him. Purdue athletics is very lucky to have such a well-known and iconic character, who is loved by the fan base, roaming the venues."

Purdue Pete ornament Holiday ornament featuring the original sideline Purdue Pete. (Photo provided) Download image

Several area stores, including 16 Cracker Barrel restaurants across Indiana, are selling specially designed T-shirts with sales benefiting Purdue scholarships. 

The T-shirts (produced by Knights Apparel) promoting Pete's 60th anniversary on the sidelines are available in gold and black colors at all Cracker Barrel stores in Indiana as well as at University Book Store and the Purdue Team Store at Ross-Ade Stadium. 

Sales also are handled online here.

In addition to the shirts, specially designed socks (produced by 19Nine) and holiday ornaments (produced by Boelter Brands) featuring the original sideline Purdue Pete are becoming available at select local retailers in the Lafayette/West Lafayette, including University Book Store, University Spirit, Purdue Follett West and the Team Store. The ornaments will be on sale as individual items, or shoppers can get one free with a purchase of $100 or more.

All commemorative items will be sold for less than $25.

Earlier this summer, a series of bobblehead Petes was produced showing five variations of Pete as he has evolved through the years. Those Petes are being used by Intercollegiate Athletics for ticket promotions at select events throughout the school year. 

Proceeds from Purdue licensed products provide more than $1 million annually to Purdue student scholarships. For more information on the Purdue Pete celebration and products, contact Purdue Trademarks and Licensing.

Sources: Erika Austin, 765-494-1733, elaustin@purdue.edu
Jim Vruggink, 765-494-2086, jvruggink@purdue.edu

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