Boilermaker Special

The official mascot of the Boilermakers is a replica of a Victorian-era locomotive. Conceived by a Purdue student in the 1930s to exemplify the engineering and agrarian heritage of Purdue, the first Special was provided by a group of alumni working in executive positions in the rail and automotive industries. Boilermaker Special I made its debut on the first day of classes in 1940. Then-President Edward Elliott assigned an existing spirit group, the Reamer Club, to maintain and operate the Special.

Alumni, students, faculty and staff have raised funds to replace the Special as it has worn out - in 1953, 1960, 1993 and, most recently, in 2011. Boilermaker Special V was unveiled Sept. 25, 1993, and serviced the University and the surrounding community until March 1, 2011, when it underwent an overhaul to replace the engine, transmission and chassis. The Special returned to campus in July of 2011 as Boilermaker Special VII. Lafayette semi-trailer manufacturer Wabash National took the lead in providing materials and labor to update the Special. The "VII" is appropriate because Special IV, known as the X-tra Special, and its current second version, X-tra Special VI, were actually the fourth and sixth faux locomotives produced.

Even though there have been five versions of the Special, elements of VII came from I, including the bell, light and whistle. The superstructure of VII is the same as that of V, albeit with a few modifications to fit the new chassis. Built to be roadworthy in each of its five incarnations, the Special appears at all games in Ross-Ade Stadium, travels to away football games and is a favorite at events ranging from parades to birthday parties. The Special made the trip to Pasadena, Calif., to accompany the Boilermakers to the 2001 Rose Bowl, although it was shipped the 2,100 miles to southern California - the only time it has been shipped and not driven to an event.

With its fresh updates, Boilermaker Special VII will serve Purdue as the official mascot of the Boilermakers well into the future. The Purdue Reamer Club is responsible for the care of the Boilermaker Special and X-tra Special. The Club was founded in 1923 and is dedicated to fostering the observance of school traditions, supporting all sporting events, and aiding in the development of proper school spirit. Visit purduereamerclub.org/ for more information.

X-tra Special

Built on a golf cart frame, the X-tra Special goes to all the athletics events that the Boilermaker Special can't, including those in Mackey Arena and Lambert Fieldhouse. The body for the X-tra Special was fabricated in a Department of Aviation Technology lab on the West Lafayette campus.

Purdue Pete

A boilermaker if ever there was one, Purdue Pete first took the field to cheer on the Boilermakers in 1956. Initially, students with tumbling ability were chosen to portray Pete. In those days, Pete had a papier mache head and a bit of padding but was expected to tumble along with the cheerleaders. Today, Pete's head is crafted in the same aviation technology lab that produced the locomotive body of the X-tra Special. In addition to the head, the four students who portray Pete wear shoulder pads and carry a hammer.

Pete got his start in 1940 as an advertising icon for University Bookstore, and he continues in that role. He first appeared outside bookstore ads in 1944, when editors of the Debris yearbook put an adapted Pete on each page. For instance, in the home economics section, Pete had a bucket and mop; for civil engineering, he peered through a transit.

Purdue Pete lore is filled with tales of wrestling matches against opposing mascots and muggings by opposing fans. Once, on the way back from Iowa, Pete's head blew out of the back of the Boilermaker Special. It was never found.

Pete has changed with the times, boasting more than five makeovers through his years rooting on the Boilermakers.

Purdue Pete stays very busy during the year attending many local, state and national level events. Click here for appearance requests.

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Purdue Boilermakers