What would you say as fans, of the AD proposed to build a memorial to Tyler Trent at or near Ross Ade to memorialize a young man who has become the ebodyment of what it means to be a Boilermaker?
An Idea to Honor Tyler Trent...Forever
- Thread starter JohnnyDoeBoiler
- Start date
Does Purdue have a ring if honor anywhere in R-A? If so, would it be appropriate to add his name as an honorary member?
I don’t want to be the Debbie downer. But I think rather than an honor for Tyler, something that recognizes all Boilermaker cancer victims.
I don't think that's being a debbie downer. It's a good idea, and one I hope the university explores.
So do you not honor Armstrong bc of all the astronauts that came from Purdue?
You can honor Tyler while also calling attention to all cancer victims as Tyler has repeatedly done throughout his battle.
Umm not touching this straw man.
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I think a great tribute would be to retire jersey #1 in Tyler's honor at halftime of the next home game Tyler can attend (DJ Knox would of course be grandfathered in for the remainder of the season).
I like living tributes and symbolism and it would be neat since this entire story really began with Tyler being first in line for tickets for last year's Michigan game and Brohm going over to chat with him. And there is a ready-made #1 theme -- 1 University, 1 Goal, etc., etc.
Also, proceeds of sales of officially licensed jerseys bearing #1 could go directly to the Purdue cancer research effort or Riley or some such, basically all in Tyler's name and number.
Mike Bobinski could make a request to the opposing team to extend halftime ten minutes so that the coaching staff and team could be on the field; ceremony wouldn't have to last very long but it would be appropriate to retire the jersey in front of the fans at Ross-Ade.
In any case, that is my $0.02 -- or in this case, $0.01.
I like living tributes and symbolism and it would be neat since this entire story really began with Tyler being first in line for tickets for last year's Michigan game and Brohm going over to chat with him. And there is a ready-made #1 theme -- 1 University, 1 Goal, etc., etc.
Also, proceeds of sales of officially licensed jerseys bearing #1 could go directly to the Purdue cancer research effort or Riley or some such, basically all in Tyler's name and number.
Mike Bobinski could make a request to the opposing team to extend halftime ten minutes so that the coaching staff and team could be on the field; ceremony wouldn't have to last very long but it would be appropriate to retire the jersey in front of the fans at Ross-Ade.
In any case, that is my $0.02 -- or in this case, $0.01.
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Thats.....a lot.
Sadly, with Kids egos today the #1 jersey is a recruiting tool. Love Tyler Trent and his spirit but not having the #1 jersey available would sadly hurt us with SOME recruits.
Ive seen this at Clemson and Michigan....If there is some legend that wore that # before and its retired, that player wears the jersey with specific permission from the player and wears a patch on the front with the players last name. I think it would turn it into something to be desired to aspire to and not something nobody could touch ever again.
Id like to see our good DEs aspire to wear 94 (Kerrigan), Our top safety in 26 (Woodson), A RB in 23 (Keyes) and the eventual QB in 15 with a Brees patch. Give Trent #1 and that player wears a patch with his name on it.
My proposition to Bobinski was this:
Have a statue built just outside the gate where Tyler sat and waited for the UM game during the 2017 season. On it, have a plaque that tells his story along with showing support to the Purdue Cancer Research Center and all those who have fought cancer. You could rename that gate the 'Tyler Trent Memorial Entrance' as well. The team could also have a walk from the Purdue Merchandise Store just outside of the stadium where a small rally is held prior to kickoff (which would work because its right outside the north parking lot tailgate area) where the team then walks down the drive, past Tyler's statue, and then turns down the stairs at the Boilermaker statue and back in to Mollenkauf for final pre-game prep. This walk would be named 'Spirit of a Boilermaker Walk' and other schools have similar walks as well. It would be able to link Tyler, Purdue, and the football team moving forward.
Have a statue built just outside the gate where Tyler sat and waited for the UM game during the 2017 season. On it, have a plaque that tells his story along with showing support to the Purdue Cancer Research Center and all those who have fought cancer. You could rename that gate the 'Tyler Trent Memorial Entrance' as well. The team could also have a walk from the Purdue Merchandise Store just outside of the stadium where a small rally is held prior to kickoff (which would work because its right outside the north parking lot tailgate area) where the team then walks down the drive, past Tyler's statue, and then turns down the stairs at the Boilermaker statue and back in to Mollenkauf for final pre-game prep. This walk would be named 'Spirit of a Boilermaker Walk' and other schools have similar walks as well. It would be able to link Tyler, Purdue, and the football team moving forward.
Tyler's alive... odd to name a gate after him in "memorial".
All the walking, rally, etc... seems like a little much in my opinion.
this.
I think it's great what "awareness" this young man has brought.
However, for every Tyler Trent, there are numerous other Boilermaker fans dealing with cancer bravely, and in obscurity.
'18, you raise a good point. however, that sounds like a REALLY huge ego. I would question, would any coach want that type of person on their team?
I don't coach, but my answer would be . . . . H*LL NO.
In fact, I'm not passionate about it but I don't like any player wearing the #1 jersey.
Really? I wasn't aware that #1 was universally desirable. I know there's history with it at Michigan, but I couldn't name two other players who wore #1 at Purdue.
I wasnt speaking about #1 directly....but I know #28 Tavien Feaster at clemson wears the jersey with a blessing from CJ Spiller and with a patch with Spillers name on it.
A few of the guys at Michigan did the same. Devin Gardner who was a QB wore Tom Harmons 98 for a season. Doing something similar for our key players and #s would be cool. Including Trent in on that would be pretty cool as well.
That's all I was saying. No need to retire a jersey for him.
We obviously all hope for a miracle but his mother said in the ESPN piece he is in hospice care. He has been an incredible voice for Purdue University, Riley, and the PCRC. Some times individuals are elevated because of their situation to be looked at as evidence of the good in humanity. Tyler is the embodiment of everything good about Purdue University.
In recent years, every Purdue football roster has had at least 2 players rostered with #1. You have to go back to 2008 to find a Purdue roster with no #1.
Akeem Hunt was the last really notable, in '14
I think it would be entirely appropriate to have a display for Tyler in Purdue's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame - as our Super Fan, and an example of what it means to be a Boiler.
JMHOAU
JMHOAU
I would love something like a small memorial in the concrete in front of the student section
I think Rondale wore #1 in HS. I expected him to take it next year after DJ graduates. Then DB could have his #4.
I cover a D-2 team and for this exact reason they have never assigned #1. Too individualistic
Sadly none of these 16/18 year olds know who Leroy and quite possibly Rod are. There's a chance they know Ryan but no doubt they know Drew.
I think Blough’s definition of what Tyler looked like should be engraved on the tunnel out or somewhere near the field when they enter.
A Boilermaker is somebody who fights until there is no more fight.
That is the quote I have from memory (may be slightly off), but that is powerful stuff. Tyler is an amazing human, and I loved that bit from Blough. It hit me hard when I was watching the gameday piece.
Also could probably get a die cast of that football given to Tyler for the OSU game and put that quote under it. That’s how I would do it anyway. It celebrates everybody who is fighting through something. It is a reminder to never give up even when the odds are impossible.
A Boilermaker is somebody who fights until there is no more fight.
That is the quote I have from memory (may be slightly off), but that is powerful stuff. Tyler is an amazing human, and I loved that bit from Blough. It hit me hard when I was watching the gameday piece.
Also could probably get a die cast of that football given to Tyler for the OSU game and put that quote under it. That’s how I would do it anyway. It celebrates everybody who is fighting through something. It is a reminder to never give up even when the odds are impossible.
I agree with a lot of this. Honor everyone, not just him. There are probably other cancer victims who are big Purdue fans too but didn't get the exposure. I mean this as gently as possible, and it's not a slight against him. I think everything about his story (not his situation) is good.
I also don't think we should have a big memorial...every couple years something else will come along.
I also don't think we should have a big memorial...every couple years something else will come along.
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