The Boilermakers represent Purdue University’s athletic program and compete in the NCAA division 1 Big Ten conference. The most recognizable playing fields on campus are Ross-Ade Stadium, Mackey Arena, and Lambert Field. The Boiler Makers name derived from a 1891 newspaper headline that read: "Slaughter of Innocents: Wabash Snowed Completely Under by the Burly Boiler Makers from Purdue." Since Purdue is a college widely known for engineering, the Boiler Makers name stuck after the headline came out.
Purdue is mostly recognized for their football and basketball teams. The football program has won the conference eight times (their last in 2000). The men's and women's basketball teams have more Big Ten Championships than any other school in the conference. The men's team hangs 21 banners from the rafters and the women six. The women have reached the final four three different times and won the National championship in 1999.
