More Than A Game

Credit Source: Purdue University

In an effort to enhance the More Than A Game campaign, launched in August to support the future of Purdue Athletics in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the John Purdue Club has launched the 1869 Society. With a specific focus on businesses who donate to Purdue Athletics, the 1869 Society will offer an opportunity to engage with Purdue student-athletes and coaches in meaningful ways while also being physically recognized outside of the world-famous Mackey Arena.

“We are fortunate to have many Boilermaker fans and alumni all over the world who are also highly successful business leaders. The 1869 Society is a unique opportunity to publicly recognize their support, while also engaging them with the nation’s finest group of student-athletes. Our goal is for our student-athletes and 1869 Society-member businesses to grow and find great benefit together,” says Mike Bobinski, vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics.

University enrollment is at an all-time high of 46,114 students, and Purdue Athletics has been one of the drivers of its growth and popularity. Annually, approximately one million alumni, fans, and friends spend time in athletic venues. Businesses that make an investment in Purdue student-athletes at one of the membership levels of $100,000, $25,000, or $5,000 over a five-year period will be recognized on the donor wall outside of Mackey Arena – the focal point of the Purdue Athletics footprint – and receive other benefits such as exclusive student-athlete recruitment opportunities and visibility at various John Purdue Club events. To see a list of all benefits and to request a call or meeting about membership information, visit the official 1869 Society website.

One of the marquee benefits of membership will be the inaugural 1869 Society Leadership Summit, the premiere event of its kind in college athletics. Purdue Athletics looks forward to inviting our 1869 Society members to campus (or virtually if necessary) each year for a high-end evening where they will have an exclusive opportunity to hear from current and former nationally-recognized coaches, administrators, and student-athletes about topics that impact their businesses. Topics of discussion may include leadership, team building, working with the modern young adult, and diversity and inclusion.

Here’s what some founding 1869 Society members are saying:

Richard, Alice & Kimra Schleicher, founders of AJS Inc. & Associates:
“On behalf of the Schleicher family and AJS Inc. & Associates, we are excited to support the 1869 Society! We are proud Purdue graduates and have been lifelong supporters of the athletic department in various capacities. Winston Churchill once stated that ‘we make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give!’ We have always felt it vitally important to ensure that opportunities exist for Purdue student-athletes. To us, this means supporting athletic programs who attract and retain the best student-athletes who can also compete at the highest level. Now, more than ever, supporting these Boilermaker student-athletes, coaches and programs is paramount to our success. For that reason, we are proud to show our support through a gift to the 1869 Society.”

Brent Yeagy, president and CEO at Wabash National Corporation:
“As a proud Boilermaker and CEO of Wabash National, I understand the role of Purdue University and Purdue Athletics within both the hearts of all Purdue alumni as well as the greater Lafayette community. Wabash National is proud to stand with Purdue Athletics as they navigate this unprecedented time and work to keep all of our Purdue athletes safe and able to compete at a high level.”

Fans, alumni, friends, and businesses interested in supporting More Than A Game or joining the 1869 Society have the following options available:

• Visit the campaign website here, contact your Boilermaker Athletics Representative, email the John Purdue Club at JPC@purdue.edu, or call the JPC offices at 765.494.2582.
• Roll over athletics ticket dollars to support More Than A Game
• Purchase a fan cutout starting at $35 to be placed in Mackey Arena
• Purchase an exclusive More Than A Game t-shirt from the Purdue Team store with $10 from each shirt supporting the campaign.

The John Purdue Club thanks you for your continuous support of our student-athletes and this campaign. It means more now than ever.

 

LAURIE SILVERSTEIN

ASSISTANT STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR – JOHN PURDUE CLUB

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS | PURDUE UNIVERSITY | #BOILERUP

MACKEY ARENA, 2200J | 765.496.3198 | LAURIE@PURDUE.EDU