Purdue is one of the founding member institutions of the Big
Ten athletics conference, formed in 1896. The Boilermakers have built a storied
athletics tradition that extends to today.
The Boilermakers have been particularly associated with
college basketball throughout the school's history, especially during the 25
year tenure of Gene Keady. Between the men's and women's basketball teams, the
Boilermakers have won 27 Big Ten Conference championships, more than any other
university in the conference. Among the achievements of the men's basketball
teams are one national championship (awarded by the Helms Foundation for 1932),
two Final Four appearances (1969, 1980), two NIT Championships (1974, 1981), and
21 Big Ten Championships (1911, 1912, 1921, 1922, 1926c, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934,
1935, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1969, 1979, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996).
The women's basketball program is also excellent. The women's
program has produced one national champions (1999), three Final Fours (1994,
1999, 2001), and six Big Ten Tournament Championships (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003,
2004, 2007).
Although the football program has often been overshadowed by
the basketball program, it has also had its share of success. The Boilermakers
have won eight conference championships in football: 1918, 1929, 1931, 1932,
1943, 1952, 1967, 2000. The program has also produced a number of NFL players
over the years including NFL Hall of Famers Len Dawson and Bob Griese. Some of
Purdue's individual award winners in college football have been:
Maxwell Award (Most outstanding collegiate football
player, adjudged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National
Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell
Football Club)
Ray Guy Award
John Mackey Award (Most outstanding tight end)
Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Awarded by the
Chicago Tribune to the college football player determined to be the Most
Valuable Player of the Big Ten Conference)
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Bob Griese - 1966
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Leroy Keyes - 1967
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Mike Phipps - 1969
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Otis Armstrong - 1972
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Mark Herrmann - 1980
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Drew Brees - 2000
The design of the Purdue Boilermakers Fabric: Squares is
composed of the University's Boilermaker Special logo and other logos over a
black and gold squared background.
The Purdue Boilermakers Fabric: Squares pattern has been
licensed by Purdue University and is for individual consumption only. Any other
use of the Purdue Boilermakers Fabric: Squares is prohibited and illegal.