Claim to Fame

Impressive stats that are putting Purdue on the map

Cradle of Astronauts

Purdue has always been a frontier school, from the western frontier of the 19th century when it was founded to breaking the final frontier. Twenty-five Purdue graduates have been selected for space missions, more than any other public university. Approximately 50 flights have included a Purdue grad, and 10 missions have included multiple graduates. Don’t blink! Those numbers will go up faster than a new apartment building on Chauncey Hill.

Super Bowl Streak

In 2019, the New England Patriots’ Jason King (LA’16) kept one of Purdue’s lesser-known streaks alive. For 19 consecutive years, Purdue has had a former player in the Super Bowl. Purdue’s streak is second only to Nebraska.

Cradle of Quarterbacks

Many schools boast of tradition. But none can match Purdue’s tradition of turning out top-flight quarterbacks. Fifteen former Purdue signal-callers have gone on to play in the National Football League, accumulating more starts and throwing more touchdown passes than those from any other school. Three have been selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame — Bob Griese (M’67), Mike Phipps (M’70), and Mark Herrmann (M’81) — and two are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — Griese and Len Dawson (HHS’57). Purdue is one of just two universities that can claim three Super Bowl champion quarterbacks — Drew Brees (M’01), Dawson, and Griese.