The History of Purdue Pete
Humble Beginnings
Purdue Pete was born in 1940 at the hands of Doc Epple and Red Sammons. These two University Book Store owners decided that they needed an advertising logo, so they hired Art Evans to create one. However, it wasn’t until four years later that he got a name. In 1944, Debris asked the owners of the bookstore if they could feature their advertising logo in their yearbook. When they asked Doc Epple what the logo’s name was, he replied with ’Pete” on the spot. After Pete’s appearance in the yearbook, his popularity rocketed to new heights. But, it wasn’t until 1956 that the athletic director gave permission for Purdue Pete to be the sports mascot.
Larry Brumbaugh was elected to be the first Purdue Pete. He was also in charge of finding a costume, which proved to be difficult. A woman from where he grew up finally offered to make the costume. A 36 pound papier-mâché head was constructed, and Larry would dance around with that on his head. Despite numerous mishaps, such as when Jerry Knote tackled Bucky Badger and the head rolled into the end zone, this costume stayed until 1963.
Purdue Pete was born in 1940 at the hands of Doc Epple and Red Sammons. These two University Book Store owners decided that they needed an advertising logo, so they hired Art Evans to create one. However, it wasn’t until four years later that he got a name. In 1944, Debris asked the owners of the bookstore if they could feature their advertising logo in their yearbook. When they asked Doc Epple what the logo’s name was, he replied with ’Pete” on the spot. After Pete’s appearance in the yearbook, his popularity rocketed to new heights. But, it wasn’t until 1956 that the athletic director gave permission for Purdue Pete to be the sports mascot.
Larry Brumbaugh was elected to be the first Purdue Pete. He was also in charge of finding a costume, which proved to be difficult. A woman from where he grew up finally offered to make the costume. A 36 pound papier-mâché head was constructed, and Larry would dance around with that on his head. Despite numerous mishaps, such as when Jerry Knote tackled Bucky Badger and the head rolled into the end zone, this costume stayed until 1963.
The Evolution of Pete
In 1963, the head from Purdue Pete flew out of the back of the Purdue Boilermaker Special on the way back from an Iowa game. Despite many people searching, it was never found. So, a new Pete was made. This one had bigger cheeks and bigger eyes. It certainly looked more boyish. This lasted until 1976. However, this Pete had just as many problems. The head was still big and bulky and it didn’t have very much head space. In addition, it was also a common target for opposing fans, according to James Jenness, a Purdue Pete at the time. He recalls a trip to Ann Arbor where Pete was pelted with snowballs. The third Purdue Pete was made in 1976 by Van Betulius, and the head was made entirely out of fiberglass. Also, unlike the first two Petes, this one didn’t look like it stepped out of a cartoon. Small changes were made in the next year, such as tweaks to the eyes and the ears. Then, in 1980, a new Pete was ushered in. It was inspired by the need to be more serious and intelligent (this, in fact, would prove to be a common concern for our beloved athletic mascot). This Pete only had a ten-pound head (a relief to many people), and had furrowing eyebrows and a scowl. A jersey took the place of the sweater. However, angry Pete only stayed for a couple of years. In 1983, he was replaced by a smiling Pete who wore a construction cap instead of a little square cap like all the other Petes. The chinstrap also made the eyebrows wiggle up and down, and it was heavier than the previous Pete by 2 pounds. 12 pounds still proved to be difficult for some people, such as Andy Gentry, who had a neck injury. Finally, in 1989, Purdue was permanently replaced by a slightly different Pete with a black helmet and eyebrows that didn’t wiggle. It was created by students in the Aeronautical Engineering Technology department. In fact, several heads were made in case some were damaged.
In 1963, the head from Purdue Pete flew out of the back of the Purdue Boilermaker Special on the way back from an Iowa game. Despite many people searching, it was never found. So, a new Pete was made. This one had bigger cheeks and bigger eyes. It certainly looked more boyish. This lasted until 1976. However, this Pete had just as many problems. The head was still big and bulky and it didn’t have very much head space. In addition, it was also a common target for opposing fans, according to James Jenness, a Purdue Pete at the time. He recalls a trip to Ann Arbor where Pete was pelted with snowballs. The third Purdue Pete was made in 1976 by Van Betulius, and the head was made entirely out of fiberglass. Also, unlike the first two Petes, this one didn’t look like it stepped out of a cartoon. Small changes were made in the next year, such as tweaks to the eyes and the ears. Then, in 1980, a new Pete was ushered in. It was inspired by the need to be more serious and intelligent (this, in fact, would prove to be a common concern for our beloved athletic mascot). This Pete only had a ten-pound head (a relief to many people), and had furrowing eyebrows and a scowl. A jersey took the place of the sweater. However, angry Pete only stayed for a couple of years. In 1983, he was replaced by a smiling Pete who wore a construction cap instead of a little square cap like all the other Petes. The chinstrap also made the eyebrows wiggle up and down, and it was heavier than the previous Pete by 2 pounds. 12 pounds still proved to be difficult for some people, such as Andy Gentry, who had a neck injury. Finally, in 1989, Purdue was permanently replaced by a slightly different Pete with a black helmet and eyebrows that didn’t wiggle. It was created by students in the Aeronautical Engineering Technology department. In fact, several heads were made in case some were damaged.
Incident of 2011
In 2011, Purdue Athletics decided that Purdue Pete needed a new look for numerous reasons, First, the heads of Purdue Pete were very expensive at $2,600 each because each head needed to be custom fitted. The new Pete would be wearable by everyone. Also, prior to 2011, Pete was scaring children, and was not appealing to other people. However, at the Black and Gold Annual Football game in 2011, when the new Pete made his initial entrance, the student body literally booed him off of the field. Needless to say, the former Purdue Pete was put back in action. He continues to be played by three to four men with different hat designs.
In 2011, Purdue Athletics decided that Purdue Pete needed a new look for numerous reasons, First, the heads of Purdue Pete were very expensive at $2,600 each because each head needed to be custom fitted. The new Pete would be wearable by everyone. Also, prior to 2011, Pete was scaring children, and was not appealing to other people. However, at the Black and Gold Annual Football game in 2011, when the new Pete made his initial entrance, the student body literally booed him off of the field. Needless to say, the former Purdue Pete was put back in action. He continues to be played by three to four men with different hat designs.
Trials and Tribulations
As a Big 10 mascot, Purdue Pete has never been without his fair share of conflicts. Here are some of his memorable mishaps.
1. 1957- Bucky the Badger took Pete’s hammer, and John Knote chased after him. He lost his head (literally) in the process of hitting Wisconsin’s mascot.
2. 1962- Purdue Pete’s head is lost after the Iowa game.
3. 1989- Purdue Pete loses his head again in Evanston, IL, after a Northwestern game. McKinney was Pete at the time.
4. Purdue Pete barely escapes Bloomington fans (they were trying to steal his head).
5. 1985- During a Michigan game, mascot Chris Lynch was in the end zone, and two guys approached him and tried to steal Pete’s head. Security guards helped in solving the situation.
Many more stories have yet to be told by previous Petes. Pete has had his part in family traditions, marriage proposals, presenting prestigious awards, and much more. Purdue Pete is very valuable to our University. Moreover, he is part of our identity as Purdue Boilermakers.
As a Big 10 mascot, Purdue Pete has never been without his fair share of conflicts. Here are some of his memorable mishaps.
1. 1957- Bucky the Badger took Pete’s hammer, and John Knote chased after him. He lost his head (literally) in the process of hitting Wisconsin’s mascot.
2. 1962- Purdue Pete’s head is lost after the Iowa game.
3. 1989- Purdue Pete loses his head again in Evanston, IL, after a Northwestern game. McKinney was Pete at the time.
4. Purdue Pete barely escapes Bloomington fans (they were trying to steal his head).
5. 1985- During a Michigan game, mascot Chris Lynch was in the end zone, and two guys approached him and tried to steal Pete’s head. Security guards helped in solving the situation.
Many more stories have yet to be told by previous Petes. Pete has had his part in family traditions, marriage proposals, presenting prestigious awards, and much more. Purdue Pete is very valuable to our University. Moreover, he is part of our identity as Purdue Boilermakers.