Three Purdue Petes join tradition, team

By Patricia Nikolaros
Staff Writer

Purdue sports fans get pumped because there will be three new Purdue Petes on the field next fall.

Jeff Nagle, a sophomore in the School of Technology; Charlie Nichols, a freshman in the School of Agriculture; and Luke Simons, who will be a freshman in August, are replacing three of the four members of the team who are graduating this semester.

These men were part of the 10 who tried out in Mackey Arena in front of their fans on Tuesday night.

The tryout consisted first of a workshop where the candidates could try on the Purdue Pete costume and see if they felt comfortable in it. Then there was an interview process where they were asked a series of questions.

Jan Winger, a staff member for the athletic public relations office and adviser to Purdue Pete, said, "We asked them questions like how many games they attended to find out if they have a lot of Purdue Pride. They had to show a good attitude, a love for people and a love for Purdue."

Ultimately, the finalists had to create a three to five minute skit using music and props to cheer the crowd of supporters that came to the finals and had to be judged in front of a panel.

The panel of judges included one Purdue fan, one Purdue alumnus, a TV-18 employee, a current Purdue Pete and Winger.

Winger said the tryouts started with 70 people at the workshop, which then had to be cut down to 10 finalists.

One of the finalists for the first time in Purdue Pete history was a women, Lori Schlosser, a freshman in the School of Health Sciences. She said, "It is exciting to be the first women to make it to the finals."

Winger said, "If there is a woman interested in being Purdue Pete and she has broad shoulders to hold up Pete’s head, then I do not see why a woman can’t be Purdue Pete."

The final competition required the candidates to get the crowd involved with various props, music and Purdue cheers.

The music ranged from the Purdue Fight Song to tracks on the Rock and Jock CD collection.

The props used were an array of sports balls and symbols mimicking rival Big Ten Schools, which the Purdue Pete candidates proceeded to destroy.

For example Nagle used a life-size Indiana University symbol and smashed it with Pete’s sledgehammer.

When the competition was over, the judges posted the results and the winners embraced and celebrated with their family and friends.

Simons said, "I want to be Purdue Pete because I have always been involved in athletics, but I knew I did not have what it takes to compete at the college level, so I thought this is the best way to stay involved and go to the games."

Simons has always had Purdue pride; both of his parents attended Purdue.

Nichols said now that he is Pete he is excited to meet the collegiate athletes and to travel.

Adam Harger, the current Purdue Pete and freshman in the School of Health Sciences, said the new Petes are in for a lot of fun.

Purdue Pete’s job entails weekly meetings, traveling to all home and away football games, all home women’s and men’s basketball games and home volleyball games. Purdue Pete visits hospitals, nursing homes and grade schools. He even makes appearances at weddings, engagement parties and Bah-Mitzvahs.

Winger said, "For appearances, Purdue Pete charges $50 an hour, and the money goes toward a fund that pays for Purdue Petes' book fees."

The next step for these new Petes is a one-week training camp, which they attend with the Purdue cheerleaders.

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Featured Photo: Lion Fountain

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Campus editor: Laura Pelner

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