Purdue News

August 28, 2000 'Arrive Early, Celebrate Late' and multiply Purdue football fun WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – There’ll be no better place to "Boiler Up" for Purdue football on Saturdays this fall than the Slayter Center of Performing Arts. Music, food and fun will be in great abundance at Slayter Center as Purdue University Bands and the Purdue Alumni Association urge fans to "Arrive Early, Celebrate Late." Getting here early is a good idea since road construction in West Lafayette’s Levee can still create congestion, and predictions for a successful football season are drawing fans to Ross-Ade Stadium in record numbers. At 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 (and three hours before every home game), the Alumni Café opens on Slayter Center hill offering sandwiches, snack foods and beverages catered by the Purdue Memorial Union Sweet Shop. At 11:30 a.m., the 2000 version of the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band makes its first appearance at Slayter Center, adding some musical relish to tailgate picnics and offering fans a chance to vent their enthusiasm by singing "Hail Purdue" and other favorites. Fans also have the chance to win Purdue memorabilia at the Purdue Alumni Association tent, and youngsters can choose a prize from Little Pete’s Treasure Chest. WGLM Radio will broadcast live from the site to add to the festivities. The Central Michigan game provides Purdue’s new Golden Girl Abby Moore, a sophomore from Kettering, Ohio, her first spotlight, and the band will also have a surprise for Purdue’s new president. As President Martin Jischke is introduced to the home crowd during the stadium pre-game show, the band will spell out "Jischke" as it plays "Back Home in Indiana." Half-time brings a musical salute to British pop icon Elton John. The "All-American" Band will take the field playing "Philadelphia Freedom" and will weave many of Elton John’s other hits, including "Crocodile Rock," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me," into their energetic show. Following the football game, fans are encouraged to follow the band out of Ross-Ade Stadium to unwind after the game at a short concert at the Hovde Hall Fountain. Those who like to make use of Slayter’s parking facilities for football games will find a new rule in place this year – no overnight parking will be allowed. According to Slayter parking coordinator Brent Russell, and William Coghill, director of campus safety and security, the practice has generated safety concerns because vital driveways have been blocked to emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances. Signs have now been posted that prohibit parking between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. at Slayter, and violators may be ticketed or towed. The Slayter parking lot will open to Purdue fans at 6 a.m. on all game days. Cost is $5 per spot. Gamma Pi, the alumni association of the Purdue Bands fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, operates the lot. All proceeds go into a fund for the renovation of Slayter Center facilities. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands' publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page