WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Head coach Tony Ersland and the Purdue wrestling team announced plans on Tuesday to participate in the third annual Throwdown on the Yorktown, which is set for Nov. 7-8 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
The one-of-a-kind event affords numerous college wrestling programs the opportunity to compete on the top deck of the USS Yorktown CV-10, an Essex-class aircraft carrier anchored in the Charleston Harbor.
Purdue will become just the second Big Ten men’s program to partake in the event after Maryland did so last year.
“We are honored and excited to give our guys the chance to wrestle at a once-in-a-lifetime setting like the Yorktown,” Coach Ersland said. “It’s something they’ll always remember beyond their wrestling years. To be able to also celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in a patriotic way like this will be something they can tell their kids about some day. It will be a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves against two strong Division I programs early in the season.”
The Boilermakers will battle The Citadel, the host of the event, as well as Air Force in a pair of duals on Saturday and Sunday. The Citadel, located in Charleston, has hosted each of the last two Yorktown events.
Tickets for the historic event will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 1.
Purdue will open wrestling season with a home dual in Holloway Gymnasium against Kent State on Sunday, Nov. 1. As always, admission will be free to all fans. The rest of the 2026-27 season schedule will be finalized and announced in the coming weeks.