News - 07/31/2002

NCAA - Purdue University

Purdue U. Unveils New Football Uniforms

Boilermakers Go For The Gold Home, away jerseys will sport new look

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller wants Ross-Ade Stadium to be a "sea of gold" during the 2002 season. Purdue U. Boilermakers

His team will do its part by wearing new gold jerseys.

"Ever since I have been back at Purdue, we have been trying to get our fans to wear gold to help create a more festive atmosphere in Ross-Ade," Tiller said during a press conference Wednesday in Mollenkopf Athletic Center. "Our fans have been extremely loyal - and loud - and now we hope they will help further add to our home-field advantage.

"We also want to create a better identity for Purdue, and we think the color gold can help in that regard. Gold will look great on television because it's a lot more visible than black. When people turn on their televisions and they see gold, we want them to think Purdue."

The jerseys, designed by Nike, feature white numerals on the front, back and shoulders outlined in black. The primary Purdue train logo is on both sleeves, and a Big Ten Conference logo is on the right front.

With the gold jerseys, the Boilermakers will don white pants with a black stripe down both legs and the train logo on the left thigh.

For road games, Purdue will have new Nike jerseys that are white with gold numerals outlined in black, and gold pants with black stripes. The home and road jerseys and pants will feature the same logos.

The Boilermakers will continue to sport their same gold helmets with a black "P" logo.

Tiller was joined at the press conference by two Purdue standout players wearing the home and away versions of the new uniform.

Sophomore quarterback Kyle Orton said the uniforms are a big improvement, and fans will like the new look of the Boilermakers.

"The renovated stadium is new, and this new look will give the fans a thrill," he said. "We really like the new look."

Junior defensive end Shaun Phillips echoed Orton's sentiments.

"I'm glad we're using the same helmet color with the gold uniform," he said. "It's a great combination."

In the past, Purdue has worn black jerseys at home. The Boilermakers last donned gold in Ross-Ade Stadium on Nov. 12, 1986, against intrastate rival Indiana (a 17-15 victory). Before that, they had not worn gold since the late 1940s.