- Paint Crew
The Paint Crew (formerly known as the Gene Pool) is the largest student organization at
Purdue University . Members join the group in support of thePurdue Boilermakers basketball team. The organization is named afterMatt Painter , the head coach for theBoilermaker men's basketball team.History
In 2002, Purdue students decided to formally organize a group to support the men's basketball team. The group partnered with Purdue Sports' Marketing Department to offer one large seating section under the basket behind the Boiler Brass Band in
Mackey Arena . The group was originally named The Gene Pool, after then head coachGene Keady . After Keady's retirement, Purdue promoted Associate coachMatt Painter to head coach, and The Gene Pool was renamed The Paint Crew. The student section has grown every year, now numbering over 4,000 students strong.Membership
Any Purdue student with season tickets to the men's basketball games is eligible to join. They must turn in an application with their season ticket voucher. For the 2007-2008 season, the dues for The Paint Crew were $12. Membership in The Paint Crew includes preferred seating for the games and a section t-shirt. The section t-shirt is black and designed by students through a design competition. The group also goes on the road to support the boilers. Every year, Paint Crew leadership organizes 2-3 road trips to invade other opponents home arenas. Other benefits of the Paint Crew include early admission to the arena on game days and scouting reports on the opposing team.
Seating in the Paint Crew section is first-come first-served. The line begins to form several hours before the gates to Makey Arena open. Purdue University officials have banned overnight camping before games due to safety issues.
Traditions
When a rival player fouls out, the Paint Crew shouts "Left" when his left foot touches the ground, and shouts "Right" when his right foot hits the ground.
Jon Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" is the unofficial theme song of the Paint Crew, as they sing along with the pep band on the last TV time out of the second half of every game.
Also the Journey classic "Don't Stop Believin'" has become popular with the Paint Crew when it is played during the last TV time out of the first half.
External links
* [http://www.purduepaintcrew.org/ PurduePaintCrew.org, Paint Crew Official Website]
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