Purdue fans have a new collectible to add to their Boilermaker collection just in time for the start of the 2026 football season.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has released a limited-edition Purdue Pete “Boiler Up” bobblehead, with only 2,026 individually numbered pieces being produced.
The bobbleheads are available for $40 each, plus an $8 flat-rate shipping charge per order. They are expected to ship in February.
The Purdue Pete bobblehead features the familiar Boilermaker mascot standing on a “Boiler Up” base in Purdue’s school colors. Pete is wearing his signature hard hat and carrying a large hammer, paying tribute to the large mallets historically used by boilermakers to mold steel.
The new collectible celebrates one of the most recognizable phrases associated with Purdue athletics and campus life.
“Boiler Up” was coined in 1997 by Arnette Tiller, wife of former Purdue football coach Joe Tiller. Tiller was looking for a high-energy rallying cry similar to “Cowboy Up,” a phrase he had used while coaching at Wyoming.
Arnette Tiller suggested “Boiler Up,” and the phrase quickly caught on with Purdue fans, athletic teams and the university community.
Today, “Boiler Up” is synonymous with Purdue pride.
The slogan also connects to the history behind Purdue’s Boilermaker nickname.
The nickname dates back to 1891 after Purdue defeated Wabash College 44-0 in football. Following the convincing victory, a local newspaper reporter referred to the Purdue team as the “burly boiler makers from Purdue,” a reference to the university’s emphasis on mechanical trades and engineering.
Purdue Pete has an equally long history.
Pete first appeared in 1940 as an advertising logo for the University Bookstore. He was given a physical identity in 1956 and was designed to represent the tough industrial and engineering tradesmen associated with Purdue’s Boilermaker tradition.
Now, Pete is being featured in a new collectible that combines the mascot with one of Purdue’s most recognizable rallying cries.
“We’re excited to unveil this ‘Boiler Up’ bobblehead as part of our College Slogan collection,” said Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. “As one of the most iconic and recognized college slogans, ‘Boiler Up’ gets Purdue fans fired up every time. This bobblehead is a must-have for Boilermaker fans everywhere!”
The release comes as Purdue begins the 2026-27 school year. Undergraduate students returned to campus for the fall semester on Monday, August 24.
The Boilermakers will open the 2026 football season Friday, September 4, when Indiana State visits Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.
For Purdue fans looking to add the new Pete to their collection, the limited-edition bobblehead is available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s online store.
With only 2,026 being produced and each one individually numbered, Purdue fans may want to grab theirs while they are available.
Boiler Up!