Unforgettable moments

1. Frank Sinatra playing North Hall in PMU

When the North Ballroom of the Purdue Memorial Union was dedicated in 1939, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra was invited to play. That evening, he invited a new singer to join the band. The special guest had been singing with the Harry James Orchestra but was wanting to play with a better-known group like Dorsey’s. This night was special for Purdue and for the young man — Frank Sinatra — as he played his audition performance. Sinatra went on to make 80 recordings with Dorsey, and the rest, as they say, is history.

2. Salty Dogs

This New Orleans–style jazz band got its start in Indiana while its members were students at Purdue. Formed in 1947, the band was a favorite on campus for decades as it continued to return for concerts at the Purdue Memorial Union. The Salty Dogs also played throughout the United States, including a Barry Goldwater rally back in the ’60s.

3. Underdog Status

Boilermakers aren’t known for their big talk or swagger. It doesn’t mean we can’t dream big — and win big, too. From beating Notre Dame in 1950 and ending its 39-game winning streak to 2018’s historic upset of second-ranked Ohio State, Purdue teams have been victorious in the face of extreme odds time and time again.