Purdue News
Purdue News
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September 17, 1999 Beanbag band toys go on sale Sept. 25WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – With Ty Beanie Babies on their way out, Purdue University Bands comes to the rescue with brand new beanie-type toys designed to march straight into the hearts of Purdue fans. Three plush beanbag toys – the Golden Girl, the World's Largest Drum and a Purdue bandsman boasting an intricately detailed uniform – go on sale before the Purdue vs. Northwestern football game Saturday, Sept. 25. The toys will be sold at the Purdue Bands merchandise booth at Slayter Center during all home football games this fall. The toys also will be available through the Band Office in Elliott Hall of Music. Cost for each is $10, and a percentage of each sale benefits bands. To order the toys, call Kim Vestal at (765) 496-2579. An additional fee will be charged for mail orders. Diane Wilson, president of Creation Station L.L.C. in St. Louis, Mo., approached Purdue officials with the idea of modeling beanbag toys after famous icons on campus. Tops on the list was Purdue Pete, which came out in April, followed by these three new toys. Trademarked as "Famous Be'an Collectibles," the toys each have a hangtag offering information about the Purdue traditions they represent and drumming up school spirit. Wilson, who attended Purdue in the 1970s and was a Purduette, started "Famous Be'an" after a career with Mattel Toys where she did product marketing for Barbie. One of her first goals was to do something for Purdue – the university she had such fond memories of. "I always had a fascination with that drum at football games. I just loved that drum," she said. Soon a Boilermaker Special beanbag toy will be rolling into stores, and she plans to release the Silver Twins, the Girl in Black, Rowdy, women's basketball players, and cheerleaders in 2000. For Purdue Musical Organizations, she's also created a Varsity Glee Club Pete. CONTACTS: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@schl-01.schl.purdue.edu; Diane Wilson, (314) 256-6545.
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