Purdue News

November 9, 2001

College Football Hall of Fame displays Rose Bowl drum head

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue's Big Bass Drum got an 80th birthday present from the College Football Hall of Fame when the museum, located in South Bend, Ind., put the drum's giant 2001 Rose Bowl head on display.

Collections manager Kent Stephens incorporated the drum head into the 30-foot-tall theme sculpture that visitors walk through as they enter the Hall of Fame exhibit area. The sculpture, called "Pursuit of a Dream," depicts a little boy dreaming of becoming a college football player, following his dream to reality and, as a result, becoming a role model for another little boy's dream. A spiral ramp leads visitors through the sculpture.

A variety of memorabilia is incorporated into this sculpture. Stephens said the Big Bass Drum head, which was the latest addition, "really looks perfect."

The Hall of Fame also displays a Golden Girl outfit in its Pigskin Pageantry Room.

The Big Bass Drum sported the head on the first day of its 80th birthday year at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2001. Through November the drum head will be featured on the Hall of Fame's Web site, as "Memorabilia of the Month."

The Hall of Fame is located at 111 S. St. Joseph St.. It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except holidays. From December through May it closes at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $4 for children.

CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue bands public relations, at (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu.

To the Purdue News and Photos Page