Boiler Bridge Walk set for Friday

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The third Boiler Bridge Walk of the 2012 Purdue football season is set for Friday. It will be followed by the third pep rally.

Every Friday before home games, members of the Purdue football team meet and greet their fellow citizens of Lafayette and West Lafayette as they walk across the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge.

Members of the West Lafayette flag football program and the Family Sports Youth Center will lead the Boilermakers across the bridge.

Fans of all ages are invited to join Purdue Pete, the spirit squad, Boilermaker Special and community leaders.

The team is dropped off near the Sonya L. Margerum Fountain on the West Lafayette side of the bridge and they walk across to Riehle Plaza. Team members hand out giveaway items each week.

This week’s sponsors are Hilton Garden Inn, which supplied the thunderstix that the players will give out, and Puccini’s, which will be serving delicious Italian fare.

The Boiler Bridge Walk gets under way when the team arrives around 5:40 p.m., but fans should arrive early to get a good spot on the Myers Bridge.

The pep rally will start at 7 p.m. at the Class of 1980 courtyard between Purdue Memorial Union and Stewart Center and run approximately 45 minutes.

Purdue Pete, the spirit squad and pep band will be on hand, as well as the Goldusters. Two Purdue players will address the crowd.

Pappy’s Sweet Shop will give the first 100 Purdue students free hamburgers, chips and a beverage (while supplies last), and also will be handing out ice cream scoops redeemable for free ice cream.

The first 200 students who show their VIP card or game ticket for Saturday’s football game against Marshall will receive a T-shirt.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is 3:15 p.m. ET, and tickets are available.