Inspired by the autumnal sight of Canada geese flying in formation, student band director Paul Spotts Emrick (ECE’1908) dared to do something in 1907 that no band had done before — break military ranks and form a special shape on the football field. The Block P he created was a marching-band milestone and commenced an enduring game-day tradition at Purdue University, performed by the “All-American” Marching Band at every home football game and many away games. Band members and alumni have honored the custom on the rim of the Grand Canyon, in a Colombian swimming pool, 10,000 feet above and 65 feet below sea level, and crossing the border of Germany into Holland. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the formation in 2007, 500 alumni returned to campus to help create the world’s largest Block P.