Purdue University’s mascot, Purdue Pete, is more than just a smiling face on game day; he’s a symbol steeped in history and Boilermaker pride. From his humble beginnings as a logo sketched by a California artist to the energetic, head-turning figure who rallies crowds today, Purdue Pete’s journey is a fascinating evolution of school spirit. This article delves into the rich history of Purdue Pete, exploring his transformations and the dedicated students who have brought this iconic mascot to life.
The Origins of Purdue Pete as a Logo (1940s)
Purdue Pete’s story began not on the sidelines, but in the University Book Store in 1940. Looking to create a memorable logo, the bookstore commissioned California artist Art Evans. Evans conceived a grinning, muscular character embodying the spirit of a “boilermaker” – a nod to Purdue’s engineering heritage and the hardworking ethos of its community. This original Purdue Pete was depicted as a tradesman, complete with a mallet symbolizing steel molding and a hat to protect against grease, perfectly capturing the industrial roots of the university.
It wasn’t long before Pete’s appeal extended beyond merchandise. In 1944, he made his debut in Purdue’s Debris yearbook. A headline proudly proclaimed, “Introducing Boilermaker Pete,” and the logo graced the pages throughout the publication. These early depictions showcased Pete’s versatility and growing popularity, portraying him in various scenarios – from supporting different branches of the military during World War II, like the Marines, Army, and Navy, to more domestic scenes like wearing a home economics apron or carrying a hoe. This early exposure solidified Purdue Pete’s place in the university’s visual identity and hinted at his potential to become a living symbol.
From Page to Person: The First Human Purdue Pete (1950s)
The transition from a static logo to a dynamic mascot took another decade. Finally, on September 28, 1956, Purdue Pete stepped off the page and into reality at a pep rally before a Purdue vs. Missouri football game. Student Larry Brumbaugh (ME’57) had the honor of becoming the first human Purdue Pete. His initial costume was a testament to resourcefulness and school spirit, cobbled together with foam rubber padding, football shoulder pads, long black pants, a sweater emblazoned with a ‘P’, and a papier-mâché head.
This groundbreaking head was crafted by Mrs. John Keltner, from Brumbaugh’s hometown of Union City, Indiana. Anne Ream (CFS’57) and graduate student Ona Russell contributed their sewing skills to create the rest of the costume. While bringing Pete to life was a thrilling moment, early Petes quickly discovered the challenges of embodying the mascot. John Knote (LA’59), the third Purdue Pete (spring 1958 to spring 1959), vividly remembers the immense weight of the papier-mâché head – a staggering 36 pounds! He even recounts losing the head in an on-field escapade after tackling Bucky Badger, the Wisconsin mascot, who had dared to steal Pete’s hammer. “I tackled him in the end zone, and the head fell off and rolled near the goal post,” Knote recalls, highlighting the early days where image took precedence over comfort and practicality.
Evolution of Purdue Pete’s Look (1960s-1980s)
The early years of Purdue Pete were marked by a series of evolving designs and some comical mishaps. The second Pete, David Hull (AAE’58), described the discomfort of the original costume, noting, “When I raised my arms to lead a cheer, the pads moved upward and the head scraped across my nose — very hurtful.” For David Knoll (IM’61), the Pete for fall 1959, rain presented a unique challenge. The foam padding, while providing shape, was far from weather-resistant. “It was raining, and raining hard,” Knoll remembers of one game day. “The foam rubber inside the sweatshirt soaked up so much water, it felt like I was carrying a weighted vest.”
Pete’s papier-mâché head proved particularly vulnerable. In 1962, according to the “Purdue Pete History” on the Engineering Computer Network website, disaster struck. The head was lost after it flew out of the back of the Boilermaker Special during the drive back from a game in Iowa City, never to be recovered. This incident prompted a redesign in 1963, ushering in a new Pete with a look that would last for twelve years. This iteration, while still sporting the signature square hat, featured a fat-cheeked and big-eyed design. Pete Bodine (T’73) who donned this version, recalls, “My head was pretty big, heavy, and bulky, but it also sported a big friendly smile.”
However, the large head also presented limitations. James Jenness (LA’75), Pete in 1974 and 1975, explained, “The head was so cumbersome that not much could be done other than just being there.” It also made Pete an easy target, as Jenness experienced firsthand during a particularly harsh game at Ann Arbor: “The trip to Ann Arbor, when we were shellacked 51-0, the temperature was around zero, and my head was (I guess) the best available target for snowballs.”
A significant shift came in 1976 with a more boyish and less cartoonish design. Van Betulius (A’76), with the help of an artist from Evansville, Indiana, created an all-fiberglass head. The following year, Moe Jackson (IM’78), Pete from 1976 to 1978, noted further tweaks to the eyes and the addition of protruding ears. Jackson also recounted a close call with rival fans, remembering narrowly escaping Bloomington fans intent on stealing Pete’s 47-pound head, “Fortunately, we were aided by IU’s police.”
As the 1980s dawned, marking the 40th anniversary of the Pete logo and the mascot’s 25th year, it was deemed time for a more mature image. A scowling Pete with thick, furrowed eyebrows emerged. This new head, significantly lighter at 10 pounds, was a welcome change for the students inside. The push for a fiercer mascot stemmed from a desire to align the human Pete with a tougher logo created five years prior by Keith Butz, art director in the Telecommunications Center. A 1979 athletics memo critiqued the existing head as projecting “an image of a stupid, top heavy, wooden mascot,” and advocated for a face that, “should look, if not highly intelligent, not like the village idiot.” Butz collaborated with Donald Carter, a designer in the office of publications, to achieve this fiercer look, as reported by the Lafayette Leader on September 18, 1980. While Pete retained his grease-protecting hat, the sweater was updated to a jersey, completing the transformation.
Modern Purdue Pete: Lightweight and Agile (1990s-Present)
Interestingly, by 1983, the fierce Pete had given way to a friendlier version once again. The small square cap was replaced with a construction hard hat, and as Jeff King (AAE’85) pointed out, “The chinstrap made the eyebrows wiggle up and down,” adding a touch of playful expressiveness. The head still weighed 12 pounds, which posed a challenge for Andy Gentry (LA’90), who had a previous neck injury. “I was miserable, my neck was extremely sore, and I could barely hold the head up after each event,” he recalled.
A breakthrough came in 1989 when the aviation technology department stepped in. They engineered a five-pound head using composite materials, offering a solution that was not only lighter but also allowed for greater agility and movement. This design has largely remained Pete’s look ever since. Christian “John” Coder (LA’92), Pete from 1989 to 1992, remembers the energetic demands of the role. “I did birthday parties, alumni functions, barbecues. I changed in restrooms and ducked behind cars to change.”
Despite his prominent role, funding for Pete’s attire was sometimes scarce. Patrick Cottler (ID’95), Pete from 1994 to 1995, recalled, “We had one pair of old football pants we shared and rough football jersey replicas. For basketball, we just wore shorts and a black shirt with gold block P. My mother made one for us since the previous one was almost gray from laundering.” In 1995, Petes began adding personal touches by painting their hats with different designs, a tradition Josh Rutherford (CFS’98), Pete from 1995 to 1998, remembers starting. Rutherford also holds a memorable, albeit painful, place in Purdue Pete history: breaking his collarbone during a playful pile-on with Bucky Badger at the 75th anniversary of Purdue Basketball.
Memorable Moments and Mishaps of Purdue Pete
Throughout the decades, Purdue Pete has been witness to countless memorable moments in Purdue sports history and has had his fair share of mascot mishaps. From David McGaughey’s (A’84) recollection of Purdue’s last-second touchdown victory over Notre Dame in 1981 and Jim Rowinski’s iconic bank shot against Illinois in 1983, Pete has been there to cheer on the Boilermakers through thick and thin. The stories of lost heads, heavy costumes, and snowball attacks are all part of the colorful tapestry of Purdue Pete’s legacy.
Conclusion
From a simple logo to a beloved embodiment of school spirit, Purdue Pete has become an integral part of the Purdue University experience. His transformations reflect not only changing design aesthetics but also a continuous effort to enhance the mascot’s role and impact. The dedication of the students who have donned the Pete costume, enduring heavy heads, wardrobe challenges, and the occasional rivalry antics, have solidified Purdue Pete as a true icon. He stands as a grinning, mallet-wielding symbol of Boilermaker pride, connecting generations of Purdue students and fans.
Image Credits:
- Purdue University Archives
- Purdue University photo
- Purdue Alumnus magazine
