WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A celebration awaits for Purdue University on Wednesday, April 26, as the institution's annual event – Purdue Day of Giving – arrives at its 10th anniversary. Throughout the past nine years, the Boilermaker community has given back in record-breaking numbers to create a stronger and more affordable Purdue.
This year, Purdue Athletics will be highlighting three top fundraising priorities: Tiller Tunnel, John Purdue Club scholarship and academic support, and Varsity P for athletics alumni.
To honor the legacy of legendary coach Joe Tiller, Drew ('01) and Brittany Brees ('00) have personally committed matching dollars to thank and recognize those who support future enhancements to Ross-Ade Stadium by contributing to the Tiller Tunnel naming initiative on Purdue Day of Giving. Tiller, the winningest coach in the history of Purdue Football, left an incredible legacy on the program and Boilermakers everywhere. The result was 10 bowl games, including the 2001 Rose Bowl, an average of more than seven wins per season and a Big Ten Conference championship in 2000. Tiller coached 53 Purdue players who went on to play in the National Football League, six All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans.
"Coach Tiller was an important person in my life and to so many other guys who played for him. He did so much more than teach us how to win," said Brees. "He taught us life lessons and how to be great leaders and men. We hope to inspire others to join us in donating to Tiller Tunnel to honor a man who did so much for so many Boilermakers."
Tiller introduced the spread offense to Purdue, forcing defenses to cover the field from sideline to sideline. It was a radical change from the smash-mouth Big Ten style and, in the basketball-crazed state of Indiana, was dubbed affectionately "basketball on grass." Along the way, Tiller became the winningest coach in school history, winding up his career with an 87-62 record, including 53-43 in conference games and 10-2 against Indiana. The Boilermakers were nationally ranked for 80 weeks under Tiller, tied with Jack Mollenkopf for the most under any head coach. The charismatic Tiller endeared himself to Boilermaker fans everywhere with his sense of humor and humility. In 2013, he was inducted into the Leroy Keyes Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
"Every day, I look out my window to see the daily progress of the Ross-Ade Stadium renovations, especially the tunnel," said Purdue Football head coach Ryan Walters. "Running out of the Tiller Tunnel will serve as one final reminder to give it our all for each other and for Purdue."
On Wednesday, April 26, there will be a one-time opportunity to have your gift matched by the Brees Family and qualify for naming recognition at the entrance to Tiller Tunnel, which will be located just outside of the Devos Family Locker Room and travel approximately 100 yards into Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue Football alumni who join in supporting this effort will also receive additional special naming recognition.
This project will consist of three giving levels at $5,000, $25,000, and $100,000+, which will be publicly recognized on the wall at the entrance to Tiller Tunnel. Thanks to the Brees family, Purdue Day of Giving will provide a unique opportunity to give half those recognition amounts and still receive full recognition. For example, if you give $2,500 on Purdue Day of Giving to the Tiller Tunnel initiative specifically, you will qualify for naming recognition at the $5,000 level. Additionally, pledges of $25,000 or more, payable over five years, will also be eligible for this match. To commit to a pledge, please call your Boilermaker Athletics Representative or 765.494.2582. Please note, John Purdue Club annual membership benefits do not apply to gifts toward Tiller Tunnel.
In addition to the Tiller Tunnel effort, there will be the opportunity to renew or join as a John Purdue Club member, supporting athletic scholarships along with cost of attendance for Boilermaker student-athletes. Those who join or renew will gain membership access for the upcoming year with annual benefits, including priority access to tickets and parking. The membership deadline for the upcoming year is April 30.
Opportunities to make a contribution toward an annual John Purdue Club membership will also be highlighted through Varsity P. Varsity P is the philanthropic arm of the John Purdue Club for athletics alumni. This includes former Boilermaker varsity student-athletes, managers, athletic trainers, coaches, practice players, and spirit squad members. Athletics alumni who make a gift and select their former sport will count toward internal Sport Giving Challenges, helping teams earn additional bonus funds.
The 24-hour collaborative experience brings more than 70 campus units together, including Purdue Athletics' 18 sport programs, numerous coaches, and department personnel. Through hourly challenges and interactive leaderboards, participants in Purdue Day of Giving are motivated to support their favorite campus, college, school, program, or unit to help them get to the top of the leaderboards.
To help spread the word, post on social media using #PurdueDayofGiving and tag both @PurdueSports and @JohnPurdueClub.
For more information on Purdue Day of Giving, please visit this site or contact the John Purdue Club at 765.494.2582.
This year, Purdue Athletics will be highlighting three top fundraising priorities: Tiller Tunnel, John Purdue Club scholarship and academic support, and Varsity P for athletics alumni.
To honor the legacy of legendary coach Joe Tiller, Drew ('01) and Brittany Brees ('00) have personally committed matching dollars to thank and recognize those who support future enhancements to Ross-Ade Stadium by contributing to the Tiller Tunnel naming initiative on Purdue Day of Giving. Tiller, the winningest coach in the history of Purdue Football, left an incredible legacy on the program and Boilermakers everywhere. The result was 10 bowl games, including the 2001 Rose Bowl, an average of more than seven wins per season and a Big Ten Conference championship in 2000. Tiller coached 53 Purdue players who went on to play in the National Football League, six All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans.
"Coach Tiller was an important person in my life and to so many other guys who played for him. He did so much more than teach us how to win," said Brees. "He taught us life lessons and how to be great leaders and men. We hope to inspire others to join us in donating to Tiller Tunnel to honor a man who did so much for so many Boilermakers."
Tiller introduced the spread offense to Purdue, forcing defenses to cover the field from sideline to sideline. It was a radical change from the smash-mouth Big Ten style and, in the basketball-crazed state of Indiana, was dubbed affectionately "basketball on grass." Along the way, Tiller became the winningest coach in school history, winding up his career with an 87-62 record, including 53-43 in conference games and 10-2 against Indiana. The Boilermakers were nationally ranked for 80 weeks under Tiller, tied with Jack Mollenkopf for the most under any head coach. The charismatic Tiller endeared himself to Boilermaker fans everywhere with his sense of humor and humility. In 2013, he was inducted into the Leroy Keyes Purdue Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
"Every day, I look out my window to see the daily progress of the Ross-Ade Stadium renovations, especially the tunnel," said Purdue Football head coach Ryan Walters. "Running out of the Tiller Tunnel will serve as one final reminder to give it our all for each other and for Purdue."
On Wednesday, April 26, there will be a one-time opportunity to have your gift matched by the Brees Family and qualify for naming recognition at the entrance to Tiller Tunnel, which will be located just outside of the Devos Family Locker Room and travel approximately 100 yards into Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue Football alumni who join in supporting this effort will also receive additional special naming recognition.
This project will consist of three giving levels at $5,000, $25,000, and $100,000+, which will be publicly recognized on the wall at the entrance to Tiller Tunnel. Thanks to the Brees family, Purdue Day of Giving will provide a unique opportunity to give half those recognition amounts and still receive full recognition. For example, if you give $2,500 on Purdue Day of Giving to the Tiller Tunnel initiative specifically, you will qualify for naming recognition at the $5,000 level. Additionally, pledges of $25,000 or more, payable over five years, will also be eligible for this match. To commit to a pledge, please call your Boilermaker Athletics Representative or 765.494.2582. Please note, John Purdue Club annual membership benefits do not apply to gifts toward Tiller Tunnel.
In addition to the Tiller Tunnel effort, there will be the opportunity to renew or join as a John Purdue Club member, supporting athletic scholarships along with cost of attendance for Boilermaker student-athletes. Those who join or renew will gain membership access for the upcoming year with annual benefits, including priority access to tickets and parking. The membership deadline for the upcoming year is April 30.
Opportunities to make a contribution toward an annual John Purdue Club membership will also be highlighted through Varsity P. Varsity P is the philanthropic arm of the John Purdue Club for athletics alumni. This includes former Boilermaker varsity student-athletes, managers, athletic trainers, coaches, practice players, and spirit squad members. Athletics alumni who make a gift and select their former sport will count toward internal Sport Giving Challenges, helping teams earn additional bonus funds.
The 24-hour collaborative experience brings more than 70 campus units together, including Purdue Athletics' 18 sport programs, numerous coaches, and department personnel. Through hourly challenges and interactive leaderboards, participants in Purdue Day of Giving are motivated to support their favorite campus, college, school, program, or unit to help them get to the top of the leaderboards.
To help spread the word, post on social media using #PurdueDayofGiving and tag both @PurdueSports and @JohnPurdueClub.
For more information on Purdue Day of Giving, please visit this site or contact the John Purdue Club at 765.494.2582.