Weekend events bring plenty to cheer about on campus

Boilermaker fans will have range of sporting events and spirit activities to choose from this weekend. Football, volleyball, men's tennis and cross-country all are set for home events.

TODAY

Ride the Boilermaker Special: The Purdue Reamer Club will offer the Purdue community free rides on the Boilermaker Special. Pickup and drop-off are on the west side of Stewart Center about every 15 minutes. All rides are weather-permitting. Rides typically run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but can vary based on pilot availability.

Indiana Intercollegiates: Purdue cross-country will host 29 women's teams and 26 men's teams from across the state at today's Indiana Intercollegiates. The women's open 5K is at 3:30 p.m., and the men's open 8K will begin at 4:15 p.m. The women's championship follows at 5 p.m., then the men's championship race at 5:45 p.m. The cross-country course is off McCormick Road south of Schwartz Tennis Center. More information is here.

TODAY AND THIS WEEKEND

Active Ankle Challenge: Purdue volleyball, ranked No. 11, will host the Active Ankle Challenge today and Saturday. The tournament schedule, ticket information and details about the teams are available here. The Saturday evening session, featuring Purdue vs. Notre Dame, will take place in Mackey Arena and air live on Big Ten Network.

Fifth Annual Purdue Fall Invitational: The Purdue men's tennis team opens the 2014 fall season by hosting the Fifth Annual Purdue Fall Invitational starting at 8 a.m. today. Players from nearly 20 teams will be in action during the three-day event with matches played at the Schwartz Tennis Center and Cumberland Tennis Courts in West Lafayette. More information is here.

SATURDAY

Boilermaker Crossing: Purdue fans can meet the teams, play on inflatable games, get prizes, listen to live music and more at the family-friendly Boilermaker Crossing at 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Sally and Bob Weist Plaza between Mackey Arena and the Brees Academic Center (IAF). The event is free.

211° Session: The 211° Session pre-game pep rally will feature the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band, football head coach Darrell Hazell and the Boilermaker football players. The event starts at 9:49 a.m. in Mackey Arena.

Purdue football vs. Southern Illinois: The game starts at noon at Ross-Ade Stadium. Ticket information is available here.

Post-game concert: The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will perform at approximately 4 p.m. at Slayter Center.

ADDITIONAL GAME-DAY RESOURCES

* Boilermaker Depot: Game-week activities and spirit initiatives
* Guide to 2014 Purdue Football

* 2014 GameDay Central
* Game notes for Purdue vs. Southern Illinois

NEXT UP

Purdue vs. Iowa: Purdue football takes on Iowa at noon Sept. 27 at Ross-Ade Stadium for Purdue's Homecoming. Ticket information is available here. More about Homecoming events is here.

Boilermaker Butcher Block tailgating orders: Boilermaker fans who enjoy grilling burgers and brats at tailgates can now pre-order their meat from the Boilermaker Butcher Block and pick it up on game day. Orders for the Sept. 27 home game are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 24). More information about program and how to order is here.

PURDUE SPORTS

For more on Purdue sports, including schedules, ticket information and player profiles, go to www.purduesports.com.