Celebrate 50 Years of Mackey Arena with #MackeyMoments
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – With the 50th anniversary of Mackey Arena looming this December, both Purdue basketball teams are celebrating the facility’s birthday all season long.
Starting Thursday, Purdue Athletics will unveil the top 50 moments in Mackey Arena history. The countdown will conclude Nov. 10, the day the men’s team opens the season against SIU Edwardsville at Mackey Arena at 7 p.m. ET. The women’s team opens its season on the road that night at Central Michigan.
Every day a new Mackey Moment will be revealed on Purdue’s social-media channels, as well as on MackeyMoments.com.
Fans also are encouraged all season long to share their favorite Mackey Moments by Tweeting at @BoilerBall, @PurdueWBB or @PurdueSports their favorite memories of being in one of college basketball’s great venues, by using #MackeyMoments.
In addition this year, several promotions will be geared toward the 50th anniversary, including reunions, bobblehead giveaways, the annual T-shirt game and many more. It will all culminate on Dec. 3 (50 years and one day after the arena opened) against Northwestern with several special events planned before and during the contest with the Wildcats.
The men’s team is the defending Big Ten champion, posting a 27-8 record a year ago while advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. This year’s squad returns six of its top seven scorers, including four seniors that have been a part of 74 wins over the last three years while boasting the best home record in the Big Ten during that span.
The Boilermaker women’s team went 23-13 last year and returns a talented group in 2017-18, headlined by senior Andreona Keys, who is one of 11 returning players nationally to post 200 rebounds and 100 assists last year. Last year’s rookie class collectively rewrote the Purdue freshman record book and is primed for an encore performance. The 2017-18 schedule includes at least 17 home games, which will open with an exhibition contest vs. the University of St. Francis on Nov. 5.
Season tickets for both teams are available by calling 800.49SPORT or by visiting PurdueSports.com.