The athletic teams of the Purdue University constitute the Purdue Boilermakers. Also known as the Boilermakers, the Purdue Boilermakers football team competes in the NCAA Division Tournament and also in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers joined the Big Ten Conference in the year 1896. They have won the Big Ten Conference Championships in 1918, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1943, 1952, 1967 and 2000. In 1967, at the Rose Bowl, the Boilermakers defeated the University of Southern California Trojans (14-13) and claimed the Rose Bowl title.

Joe Tiller born on December 7th 1942, in Toledo, Ohio is the current head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers. He was hired in 1997 and at that time he was the acting head coach of the University of Wyoming Football program. Under the able leadership of Tiller, the Boilermakers have achieved ten bowl game berths in eleven years. However, after the 2008 season, Danny Hope, who is a former head coach of Eastern Kentucky University, will replace Joe Tiller.

The Ross-Ade Stadium is the home to the Purdue Boilermakers and is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Ross-Ade Stadium was inaugurated on November 22nd, 1924 and has a seating capacity of 62,500 fans. The cost of construction for the stadium including the overall renovation is an estimated $70,000,000. The Ross-Ade Stadium is dedicated to the two founding benefactors of the arena, David. E. Ross and George Ade.