Buy Season Tickets / The Pitch Protectors
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Before it's formally dedicated with its new Folk Field moniker in late September, there will be a host of fun promotional activities held at Purdue soccer's home pitch.
The Boilermaker Soccer Complex was renamed as Loren and Donna Folk Field over the summer. The official dedication ceremony commemorating the facility's new name will be held prior to the Friday, Sept. 23 game vs. Wisconsin. That is also a family 4-pack ticket special night (2 adult and 2 youth tickets for $12) and the first 100 Purdue students will receive a free Purdue soccer scarf.
Loren and Donna Folk were faithful Boilermakers, believed in the value of intercollegiate athletic competition and generously supported educational opportunities throughout their lives. Both of their children graduated from Purdue with engineering degrees -- Matt Folk (1991) and Jennie Folk Mattice (1995). Matt Folk is president and CEO of Technology Marketing, president of the Boiler Business Exchange of Indianapolis, a Brees National Leadership committee member of the John Purdue Club, and has financially supported this field.
New black sideboards with gold logos and lettering as well as new dugouts for the players and coaches were also installed this year at the award-winning complex. Folk Field has been recognized with a Fields of Excellence Award from Pioneer Athletics each of the last three years.
After Bark at the Park was a fan favorite at Alexander Field and the Boilermaker Softball Stadium the last few years, Purdue Athletics is bringing the dog day promotion to the soccer field. Fans are invited to bring their dogs to Pooches at the Pitch, which is set for Sunday (Aug. 21) of the season-opening weekend.
Fans 21 and over can purchase beer and wine at Purdue's weekend games (Friday through Sunday) this year. Beer and wine sales will be available at the southwest corner of the field from one hour prior to kickoff until the start of the second half.
The annual GLRSA/Boilers FC Day, in which local youth soccer players and their families receive $1 admission and has produced the largest crowd of the season since its inception, is set for Oct. 9 and coincides with Purdue's Senior Recognition Day this year.
Donna Folk was an elementary school teacher in Huntington, Indiana. She courageously coped with muscular dystrophy throughout her adult life. Donna and Loren jointly battled her disease for more than 40 years while raising two children, starting multiple businesses, leading 4H and church groups, tutoring neighborhood children, and supporting many projects in the Huntington community and at Purdue University. Together, they set an outstanding example of how to live a full life while facing adversity. Loren was Donna's main caregiver throughout their lives together. Additionally, Loren was a founding partner of Technology Marketing Corp in Carmel, Indiana, which grew into one of the largest semiconductor sales representative firms in the Midwest.
Showed Dad @PurdueSoccer named after he & my late mom. Cool moment & surprise for him @JohnPurdueClub @LifeAtPurdue pic.twitter.com/Sm8bWlGgMi
- Matt Folk (@tgateking) July 27, 2016
SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS
- Free Admission for Purdue Students for Every Game
- Postgame Autographs: The Boilermakers will sign autographs after Sunday home games on Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.
- The Pitch Protectors: Join Purdue soccer's student support group and help make Folk Field the loudest soccer stadium in the Big Ten.
- Beer and Wine at All Weekend Games: Fans 21+ can purchase beer and wine at the southwest corner of the field at all weekend games (Friday-Sunday) this season. Beer and wine will be available for purchase from one hour prior to kickoff until the start of the second half.
- Friday Family 4-Pack Ticket Special: Two adult tickets and two youth tickets for $12. This deal is available for Friday home games on Aug. 19, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- Pooches at the Pitch (Sunday, Aug. 21): Treat your dog to a day at Folk Field. Fans with their dogs will be asked to sit on the east side of the field in designated Pooches section. Dog owners must provide proof of current vaccinations for their dog and must sign a waiver before entering the complex.
- Senior Day and GLRSA/Boilers FC Day (Sunday, Oct. 9): Purdue's large senior class will be recognized for their contributions to the program before the 1 p.m. game. It's also the annual GLRSA/Boilers FC Day, which traditionally produces the largest crowd of the year at Folk Field. All GLRSA/Boilers FC members and their families receive $1 tickets. A pregame activity area will be in place. Youth soccer members can walkout with the teams for the National Anthem and participate in a halftime scrimmage.
- Student Scarf Giveaway (Friday, Sept. 23): The first 100 Purdue students in attendance receive a free Purdue scarf. A student shuttle bus will provide transportation to the game, running on a campus loop before and after the game.
- Hammer Down Cancer Special Jerseys Game (Sunday, Sept. 25): Purdue soccer will be sporting its special neon yellow jerseys in the annual cancer research fundraiser game. Fans are also invited to wear neon yellow to the field. Limited-edition jerseys will be available via silent auction during the game with the proceeds benefitting the Purdue Center for Cancer Research.
- Boilermaker Welcome Back (Friday, Aug. 19): A welcome back pregame tailgate featuring free pizza for the first 100 students will be held prior to the season opener. A student shuttle bus will provide transportation to the game, running on a campus loop before and after the game.
- Camp Reunion Day (Sunday, Aug. 28): All Purdue soccer camp attendees receive $1 admission and are invited to take part in special activities after helping to form the pregame fan tunnel.
- Hero Appreciation Night (Friday, Sept. 9): Special $1 tickets for all active and retired service staff (military, police, fire and first responders).
- Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night (Thursday, Oct. 13): All Purdue faculty and staff receive special $1 admission.
- Blackout the Hoosiers (Saturday, Oct. 22): Fans are encouraged to wear black to Folk Field as Purdue hosts Indiana for the annual Golden Boot rivalry trophy game. Fans will also receive free black pom-poms. It's the only Saturday night game of the season and we're hoping to create an electric atmosphere with the Hoosiers in town.
- Socctober Fest (Wednesday, Oct. 26): Celebrate the final week of October and Purdue's regular-season finale. Additional promotional activities at Socctober Fest to be determined.
- Boilermaker Olympics (Sunday, Aug. 14): Pregame contests for fans on the practice field starting one hour prior to kickoff. Youth in a soccer jersey receive $1 admission.