little-known tragedy in Purdue history
I was cruising the Lafayette Journal & Courier's usual gameday coverage in anticipation of today's matchup with Northwestern when I came upon this fascinating and sad piece about a 1903 rail disaster that devastated the Purdue team as it was traveling to its rivalry game with Indiana. Few, if any, of my contemporaries are probably aware such a thing had happened or that it is actually commemorated in the school colors and in the 13 steps leading up to the doors of what is now the Computer Science building. I certainly had no idea about this tragedy.
Just when you think your school's traditions and legend seem a little soft or insubstantial, you find out about some real-life events that have informed its history in a way you never expected.