WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Pumping new enthusiasm into a beloved event, the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band, in conjunction with Purdue Athletics, will rekindle a football game day tradition this fall. “Thrill on the Hill” at Slayter Center returns and will take place 90 minutes before kickoff of home games. This event will replace the “211 Session” in Mackey Arena.
“For years, the band held pregame concerts at Slayter, and we are excited to bring back this tradition,” director of bands Jay Gephart said.
“I have heard how popular the Slayter concerts were in the past, and we are pleased to help renew a fan-favorite event,” athletics director Mike Bobinski said.
“Thrill on the Hill” will take place at Slayter Center before every game except the Sept. 23 Homecoming contest, when the band will perform on Engineering Mall.
Fans can expect the concert to be fast and upbeat, showcasing the entire 380-plus members of the band, along with cheerleaders, Purdue Pete and guest Purdue celebrities.
After each game, the “All-American” Marching Band will continue to perform a postgame concert on the field at Ross-Ade before marching to the fountain at Hovde Hall to execute the traditional drum major breakdown.
Fantastic!!! Will the Boilermaker Special be returning to Slayter also?
Thank goodness! The 211 session was a real step backward. Slayter Hill is the perfect place for the pre-game band concert – perfect environment. Thanks for bringing this tradition back! – Mike S. (HLS ’89)
Not a big fan of moving back to Slayter. Purely from a personal perspective, I like the climate controlled comfort of the arena with large bathrooms and comfortable seats. I do park at Slayter so the location is an easier choice for me.
Suggestions: please bring back the risers at Slayter so we can see all of the band, not just the first row. Consolidate the people seated at Hovde so more people can sit on the stairs.
This is one of the best moves that the Purdue Athletic Department and the Purdue Band Department has made in the last decade. Jay Gephart and Mike Bobinski should both be commended for this decision and making a huge step in the right direction to improve the game day experience for all fans. My one suggestion regarding these performances would be to limit or totally eliminate the post game concert in the stadium, ESPECIALLY after a loss. No one, aside from maybe a handful of band parents, wants to wait around inside the stadium to listen to the halftime show all over again. Fans want to get out of there, especially after a defeat. If playing on the field after a game is a must, then maybe limit it to some fight songs and the Purdue Hymn. Plus, getting out of the stadium sooner will motivate and more easily allow more of the stadium’s exiting fans to follow the band to the fountain for that performance and celebrate.
Keep up the great work and Hail Purdue!