For the past few years, the faith of every Purdue fan in their football team has been tested. While the fans would like to see Purdue win every game (or at least be bowl eligible again this year), no game is more intense than the IU-Purdue game. On the line in this game is one of football’s oldest trophies, the Old Oaken Bucket.
The rivalry between Indiana and Purdue goes back to 1891 when the teams first met on the field. The idea of a trophy, however, was not invented until 1925. It is a simple trophy just as the name suggests – an old bucket whose only decoration is a line of gold “I” and “P” links. There are fifty-seven “P” links, twenty-seven “I” links, and three “I-P” links. Ironically, the first game played for the trophy ended in a tie, resulting in an “I-P” link being the most visible since it is attached to the handle.
For most Purdue fans that have lost faith in their football team, the Old Oaken Bucket becomes the only game on the schedule that matters. Attendance at the games are always good, a fact made even more surprising considering it falls on the Saturday of Thanksgiving Break.
The football teams may not be the greatest and you may have no interest in football or sports at all, but show your Boilermaker pride. Go to the game if you’re going to be in the area. Catch it on TV as you recover from your Black Friday shopping. Just remember that you’re participating in one of football’s oldest rivalries. Hail Purdue!
Photo Credit: http://www.purduesports.com/trads/pur-oaken-bucket.html