Knucklegate
The Official Tailgate of the Knuckleheads Purdue
Football Fraternity
The Official Tailgate of the Knuckleheads Purdue
Football Fraternity
BRIEF HISTORY
The first Knucklegate occured in
2001 before the fraternity became
the Knuckleheads. It owes its
first gathering to the Old Gold
Free Press.com Purdue internet
discussion forum. Since 1996,
many of the participants on the
forum had come to know each
other only by their forum
monikers and posts. Someone
suggested that we all meet to
tailgate so that we could put faces
to names. We had people coming
from as far away as Austin, Texas.
We have been meeting as an
evolving group ever since.
Knucklegate remains open to
anyone who wants to participate.
It is a place where Purdue fans
can gather and experience a
large tailgate and enjoy fellowship
with other Purdue fans.
The first Knucklegate occured in
2001 before the fraternity became
the Knuckleheads. It owes its
first gathering to the Old Gold
Free Press.com Purdue internet
discussion forum. Since 1996,
many of the participants on the
forum had come to know each
other only by their forum
monikers and posts. Someone
suggested that we all meet to
tailgate so that we could put faces
to names. We had people coming
from as far away as Austin, Texas.
We have been meeting as an
evolving group ever since.
Knucklegate remains open to
anyone who wants to participate.
It is a place where Purdue fans
can gather and experience a
large tailgate and enjoy fellowship
with other Purdue fans.
Above - The very first Knucklegate
circa 2001.
circa 2001.
The now famous Broilermaker Special,
spewing gold smoke at Knucklegate,
Lot D.
spewing gold smoke at Knucklegate,
Lot D.
The very first official Knucklegate
Flag. It was retired in 2008 in honor
and recognition of Coach Joe Tiller
who gave the fraternity its name.
Flag. It was retired in 2008 in honor
and recognition of Coach Joe Tiller
who gave the fraternity its name.
ORIGIN OF THE KNUCKLEHEAD
NAME
Yankee, Boilermaker,
Knucklehead. All of these
nicknames have something in
common. They all originated as
derogatory terms and all were
adopted and became the pride of
who they represent. The British
called the American
Revolutionaries "Yankees".
NAME
Yankee, Boilermaker,
Knucklehead. All of these
nicknames have something in
common. They all originated as
derogatory terms and all were
adopted and became the pride of
who they represent. The British
called the American
Revolutionaries "Yankees".
Americans warmly adopted the term. Wabash College newspaper
reporters called the Purdue football players of the late 1800's a bunch
of burly "Boilermakers". The team rather liked the name. Coach Joe
Tiller called people who didn't have real jobs and had nothing better to
do than sit around on the computer all day and gossip about Purdue
football on internet message boards a bunch of "Knuckleheads". The
name stuck. It started with a call into the Coach Tiller radio show at
Arny's. The caller asked about some internal team issue, and Coach
Tiller replied with the term "Knuckleheads". Within minutes of the
broadcast, every moniker on the message board had changed to
include Knucklehead. Texas Boiler became Texas Knucklehead,
Hillsdale Boiler became Hillsdale Knucklehead, etc. When Tiller
retired, the group decided to keep the name. In decades to come
people will ask about the name, and we can say, "we were there"
during the resurrection of Purdue football during the Tiller Era.
reporters called the Purdue football players of the late 1800's a bunch
of burly "Boilermakers". The team rather liked the name. Coach Joe
Tiller called people who didn't have real jobs and had nothing better to
do than sit around on the computer all day and gossip about Purdue
football on internet message boards a bunch of "Knuckleheads". The
name stuck. It started with a call into the Coach Tiller radio show at
Arny's. The caller asked about some internal team issue, and Coach
Tiller replied with the term "Knuckleheads". Within minutes of the
broadcast, every moniker on the message board had changed to
include Knucklehead. Texas Boiler became Texas Knucklehead,
Hillsdale Boiler became Hillsdale Knucklehead, etc. When Tiller
retired, the group decided to keep the name. In decades to come
people will ask about the name, and we can say, "we were there"
during the resurrection of Purdue football during the Tiller Era.
Knuckleheads in big game
Knucklegate attire.
Knucklegate attire.
Knucklegating on a cool morning in
Lot D, home of the Knuckleheads.
Lot D, home of the Knuckleheads.
Knucklegate travels wherever the
team travels. Here, Knuckleheads
gather at (appropriately) LOT D of
Demarree Stadium in Merrillville for the
Spring game due to construction at
Ross-Ade.
team travels. Here, Knuckleheads
gather at (appropriately) LOT D of
Demarree Stadium in Merrillville for the
Spring game due to construction at
Ross-Ade.
KNUCKLEGATE: WHEN AND WHERE
At every home Purdue football game Knucklegate is in the southwest
corner of Lot D. For noon kickoffs, we meet at Purdue West at 7:45 am
and caravan to Lot D at 8am. Times vary for later game starts.
Knucklegates are also regular features of spring games and bowl
games. Knucklegates may also occur at away games.
At every home Purdue football game Knucklegate is in the southwest
corner of Lot D. For noon kickoffs, we meet at Purdue West at 7:45 am
and caravan to Lot D at 8am. Times vary for later game starts.
Knucklegates are also regular features of spring games and bowl
games. Knucklegates may also occur at away games.
There's always suspense to find out
which permutation of a complete
Purdue football uniform BillD will wear
for the game...
which permutation of a complete
Purdue football uniform BillD will wear
for the game...
TRADITIONS
The Alma Mater - When the Purdue All-American Marching Band
decided to drop the singing of the Purdue Alma Mater from the
pre-game ceremonies, a quartet of Knuckleheads began singing it
just before game time at Knucklegate. The singing of the Alma
Mater is followed by a rousing rendition of HAIL PURDUE sung by
the entire group.
The Broilermaker Special - The Broilermaker Special is a grill -
turned steam locomotive - that makes the long trip on the back of a
black Purdue-decorated pick up truck from Michigan for each
home game. It has cooked roast duck (for the Oregon game),
venison, shrimp, wings, and all kinds of tailgate delights.
The Knuckleheads Flag - The Knuckleheads flag flies proudly at
every Knucklegate, home and away.
The Knuckleheads Street Sign - An official street sign
manufactured by the City of New York reads "Knucklehead Row".
Bill D - "As seen on TV", The pride of the Knuckleheads, Bill D. Bill
D has an official Purdue Pete Hammer and other "Pete
Paraphernalia" and every possible permutation of a complete
Purdue football uniform which he wears to every game.
The Alma Mater - When the Purdue All-American Marching Band
decided to drop the singing of the Purdue Alma Mater from the
pre-game ceremonies, a quartet of Knuckleheads began singing it
just before game time at Knucklegate. The singing of the Alma
Mater is followed by a rousing rendition of HAIL PURDUE sung by
the entire group.
The Broilermaker Special - The Broilermaker Special is a grill -
turned steam locomotive - that makes the long trip on the back of a
black Purdue-decorated pick up truck from Michigan for each
home game. It has cooked roast duck (for the Oregon game),
venison, shrimp, wings, and all kinds of tailgate delights.
The Knuckleheads Flag - The Knuckleheads flag flies proudly at
every Knucklegate, home and away.
The Knuckleheads Street Sign - An official street sign
manufactured by the City of New York reads "Knucklehead Row".
Bill D - "As seen on TV", The pride of the Knuckleheads, Bill D. Bill
D has an official Purdue Pete Hammer and other "Pete
Paraphernalia" and every possible permutation of a complete
Purdue football uniform which he wears to every game.
FAMOUS HONORARY KNUCKLEHEADS WHO HAVE ATTENDED
KNUCKLEGATES
KNUCKLEGATES
Star of the 1967 Rose Bowl,
Bob Hurst and wife.
Bob Hurst and wife.
Award winning tight end, Tim
Stratton.
Stratton.
One of Drew Brees's favorite receivers,
Vinny Sutherland
Vinny Sutherland
Basketball standout Greg McQuay.
The Big Ten Network stops at
Knucklegate for an interview and a
look at the Broilermaker Special. The
Knuckleheads have also been
interviewed on WAZY radio, Lafayette.
Knucklegate for an interview and a
look at the Broilermaker Special. The
Knuckleheads have also been
interviewed on WAZY radio, Lafayette.
The Broilermaker Special ready for
another long trip to Purdue Country.
another long trip to Purdue Country.