Purdue Psychological Sciences alumna’s ‘Hoosier hospitality’ enriches Lucas Oil Stadium

Taylor Bilger stands near the Lucas Oil Stadium football field before the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. The assistant general manager for external operations credits her years in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences for helping her throughout her career.(Photo provided)

Written by: Tim Brouk, tbrouk@purdue.edue

There is no central Indiana venue bigger than Lucas Oil Stadium, not only in terms of capacity but prestige. The 70,000-seat space will host this year’s NCAA men’s basketball Final Four in April, and it recently welcomed Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. There was also the dramatic Indianapolis Colts season that saw the leadership of the Irsay sisters from their late father, former Colts owner Jim Irsay, and the un-retirement of quarterback Phillip Rivers.

Taylor (Rathke) Bilger, an alumna of the Purdue University Department of Psychological Sciences, saw it all up close as Lucas Oil Stadium’s assistant general manager for external operations. She has worked for the 70,000-seat venue since 2018.

“This season has been unlike anything I’ve experienced,” Bilger said. “The energy is distinct from previous years, having been fundamentally shaped by the deeply felt loss of the team’s longtime owner and steward, Jim Irsay.”

While the Colts didn’t hold on to first place after a hot start, Lucas Oil Stadium was certainly buzzing this fall and winter but maintaining that buzz takes a lot of hard work and expertise behind the scenes. Bilger was up to the task during an eventful 2025 and will do the same in 2026 thanks to experience first cultivated within the Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences and expanded with stops at ESPN as a floor producer and women’s program manager for USA Gymnastics before thriving at Lucas Oil Stadium.

What is a typical day for the assistant general manager for external operations at Lucas Oil Stadium?

A typical day in my role is heavily influenced by the stadium’s event calendar. When we have an event in the building, we take an “all hands on deck” approach, and my focus is solely on playing my part to ensure its smooth execution.

On a non-event day, my focus shifts throughout the day, covering a wide range of topics. I may be participating in event preparation for upcoming events and debriefing from previous events, engaging in strategic planning, or even evaluating and building our operational systems.

If I’m lucky enough to have the Boilermakers in the building, you might catch me sneaking in a “Boiler Up!” or two.

What are the biggest strengths of downtown Indianapolis to not only maintain Lucas Oil Stadium but also in attract other big events?

Indy is such a special place. The way community partners come together to host massive events is truly a spectacle. Lucas Oil Stadium, in lockstep with our community partners, approaches event management with a sense of civic pride and Hoosier hospitality woven into every detail.

What are some of your proudest achievements in your current role?

While I’m incredibly proud of the team’s seamless execution of high-profile events, what actually gives me a sense of pride is the team-focused culture we’ve created at Lucas Oil Stadium. We have an environment where there is no shortage of support in the challenging moments and equal attention during the wins.

What was it like working at ESPN? How did you get that opportunity?

Having been involved in the sport of gymnastics my entire life, this opportunity has been unbelievably rewarding. It is completely different from my role at Lucas Oil Stadium, so I had to quickly learn all the intricacies of broadcasting live sports. A very close friend of mine, who has been involved in TV broadcasting for years, invited me to join her growing team. As she is a huge advocate of women’s collegiate sports, it was an easy decision to jump right in with her.

Why did you choose Purdue years back?

The tradition of Purdue runs deep in my family, starting with my great-grandfather and continuing all the way to my husband. With such a strong family legacy tied to Purdue University, choosing to attend was an easy — and right — decision.

How has your experience at Purdue and the College of Health and Human Sciences help you during your career?

My experience at Purdue was instrumental in fostering my professional curiosity and a genuine excitement to learn. The rigorous academic environment required me to challenge myself and constantly engage in problem-solving. Although my coursework was not directly focused on sports administration, the skills I learned throughout my time at Purdue have proven to be highly transferrable and valuable.

Bilger sits next to the Neil Armstrong statue after her Purdue commencement.(Photo provided)