Purdue Traditions

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Posted March 10, 2014 by Emma Mann
One of my favorite things about going to Purdue is the pride students take in going here. I think a large part of this pride is the traditions Purdue has instilled in its students to maintain the enthusiastic school spirit. These traditions remain near and dear to both students’ and alumni hearts.

Fountain Runs
students running through Loeb fountain
Purdue has two main fountains on campus, the Purdue Mall Fountain (Engineering Fountain) and Loeb Fountain. These fountains are main features of Purdue’s campus. Between April and October, these fountains are turned on. While they are on, students like to go on fountain runs. Students run through one of the fountains and then run to and the through the other. Students often being their time at Purdue by participating in a fountain run during Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) and then finishing their time at Purdue by doing a fountain run after graduation.



Purdue Grand Prix
students pushing their go-kart on the grand prix track
 Every spring semester since 1958, Purdue holds a 50-mile go-kart race on the Grand Prix track on campus. Student organizations and other various groups build go-karts to participate in the race. All karts compete in various qualifications and heats in order to qualify for the final race. The final 160-lap race consists of 33 karts. This event is famous throughout the country, often referred to as “The Greatest Spectacle in College Racing.” All proceeds from the race go towards student scholarships.



Sledding on Slayter Hill
students enjoying the snow on Slayter
Winter brings a good amount of snow to Purdue’s campus. Although it is used as an amphitheater in the summer, Slayter is used as a sledding hill in the winter. Students bring sleds, snowboards, baking sheets, and various other things to sled down the hill. This is also a popular item on Purdue bucket lists.






The Big Bass Drum
The Big Bass Drum on the field during a football game

Purdue’s All-American Marching Band has the World’s Largest Drum, which stands at ten feet tall on it’s carriage. The drum was made in 1921 and the frame of that drum is still the same frame that is today. Due to the sheer size of the drum, a crew of six band members is required to beat and move the drum around during football games. Many people take pictures with the drum because of its popularity.


The Boilermaker Special
Boilermaker Special in front of the engineering fountain

The Boilermaker Special, a train, serves as Purdue’s official mascot. Since it’s establishment in 1940, seven different versions of the Boilermaker Specials have been used. The Boilermaker Special drives around campus during special events and before football games carrying students and fans around campus. Many students have it on their bucket list to ride on the Boilermaker Special before graduation.

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