MACKEY WRESTLING HISTORY
Fun fact: Guy “Red” Mackey, the former Purdue athletic director and namesake of Mackey Arena, also briefly coached the Purdue wrestling program in 1932-33.
Mackey Arena, originally just referred to as Purdue Arena, served as the primary venue for Purdue Wrestling from its opening in 1967 through the 1983-84 season. The Boilers then moved next door to the newly-built Intercollegiate Athletics Facility (now known as Holloway Gymnasium), which has been their home gym ever since.
Mackey hosted its first men’s basketball game on Dec. 2, 1967, when Purdue narrowly fell to the John Wooden-coached UCLA Bruins. Almost two weeks later, on Dec. 15, Purdue Wrestling (coached by Claude Reeck) beat in-state rival Notre Dame 18-11 in the arena’s first-ever wrestling dual.
On Sunday, Coach Ersland is seeking his 100th win, which would tie him with Reeck for the second-most in school history.
Since moving to Holloway, Purdue has returned to host a dual in Mackey just nine times prior to Sunday. The Boilermakers hold a 43-77 all-time record in Mackey.
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
RESULT |
| Jan. 16, 1992 |
Indiana |
W, 29-10 |
| Feb. 15, 2004 |
Indiana |
W, 21-17 |
| Feb. 11, 2005 |
Michigan State |
W, 20-13 |
| Jan. 13, 2017 |
Indiana |
W, 19-12 |
| Feb. 9, 2018 |
Northwestern |
L, 24-16 |
| Jan. 18, 2019 |
Indiana |
W, 18-11 |
| Feb. 7, 2020 |
Nebraska |
L, 31-9 |
| Jan. 23, 2022 |
Wisconsin |
L, 23-12 |
| Jan. 17, 2025 |
Indiana |
L, 25-11 |
KEY MATCHES TO WATCH
Purdue and Wisconsin each have seven ranked stars heading into Mackey Mania.
133: Boarman vs. #11 Fugitt
Blake Boarman ranked as high as #17 earlier this season. After a rough mid-season stretch, the Chattanooga transfer is rounding into form as he gets used to the rigors of a Big Ten schedule. He’s won two straight including a highlight 4-1 sudden-victory upset over #26 Dylan Shawver at Rutgers.
141: #33 Clark vs. Exferd / Tomazevic
The only Wisconsin native on Purdue’s roster, Greyson Clark is coming in hot off a 15-0 tech fall against Michigan State.
149: #31 Brown vs. #15 Zargo
The other transfer (Ohio State) in the lineup, Gavin Brown leads Purdue with 16 wins. He rebounded from 3 straight losses in a 15-8 decision win against the Spartans.
157: #24 Buell vs. #26 Mechler
Senior team captain Stoney Buell is wrestling the best he’s ever looked this season, having won the 2025 Tiger Style Invite title and placing 6th at Cliff Keen. He is looking to find consistency against a tough Big Ten schedule. Buell’s 3-2 in his last five.
165: #4 Blaze vs. #24 Goebel
Purdue’s superstar and youngest NCAA finalist since 1950, Joey Blaze has aced every test he’s faced so far this season. Another one awaits on Sunday; a win would make Blaze 15-0 with four ranked victories.
197: #24 Vanadia vs. #28 Ingham
It will be interesting to see how Ben Vanadia responds to a frustrating 9-8 loss last week to #27 Kael Wisler, after he led 6-1. Vanadia is also having a career year at 14-7
