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Big Bass Drum: An attempt to put Purdue's All American Marching Band on the map resulted in the creation of the Big Bass Drum. Purdue's Big Bass Drum remained the "worlds biggest drum " for several decades and has become one of Purdue's greatest traditions. Since it's creation it has become the crown jewel of Purdue's marching band and a key part of Purdue's football halftime shows.
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Purdue Pete: What started as an advertising logo for the University Bookstore in 1940 has now become one of the most recognized symbols for Purdue University. Purdue Pete became the official athletic mascot in 1956 and has undergone a total of six transitions over the years from papier-mâché to fiberglass and sneers to smiles.
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Greek Life: Since the founding of the Sigma Chi chapter in 1875, Greek letter organizations have maintained a steady and influential presence on Purdue's campus. Most growth in chapters and membership occurred between 1905 and 1960, and the community continues to grow today. Several of Purdue's most distinguished graduates are members of fraternities and sororities.
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Sports:
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The Boilermaker Special: Contrary to popular belief, the Boilermaker Special is actually Purdue's official mascot. Even though many people believe that Purdue Pete is Purdue's mascot, it has in fact been the various Boilermaker Specials since the early 1940. The Boilermaker Specials have been designed to look like trains to go with Purdue's name the "boilermakers."
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Tank Scraps: This odd and very violent tradition is one of the oldest at Purdue University. It began in 1894 and was a fight between the freshman and sophomore boys with the upperclassmen as spectators. The reason for this battle was to win the privilege of painting your class' graduating year on the tank.
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