Purdue University is hopping on the trend of shaking things up a bit when it comes to their spring football routine. Instead of the usual spring game format, they’re going for a “spring showcase” in 2025.
On a chilly Tuesday, head coach Barry Odom shared the news after one of their spring practices. He said, “We’re going to move it to a spring showcase because it’s not just going to be a four-quarter game. We’re going to have practice elements, we’re going to do some individual drills.” Honestly, it makes sense, right? Why stick to the same old routine if you can mix in some cool new features?
Odom emphasized that this showcase isn’t all about just playing a game. It’s about giving the team a chance to work on specific skills that they might not get to focus on otherwise. He mentioned something intriguing—if they don’t use that special day for scripted drills, they might end up falling short on crucial practice opportunities. So, it’s all about maximizing their time together.
And don’t worry, fans! The showcase is going to be open to the public. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 12, at Ross-Ade Stadium, because you can still get a sneak peek of the new-look Boilermakers in action. Odom wants fans to immerse themselves in the program and see “our coaches coach and teach.” He adds that it’ll be “a big recruiting day for us,” which shows how important fan engagement is.
Now, Purdue isn’t the only team doing this; they’re part of a growing trend in college football. Nebraska’s coach, Matt Rhule, also announced they won’t be hosting a traditional spring game this year. Seems like many teams are starting to approach it differently, and honestly, it could be a whole new era for the sport!
Oh, and by the way, Purdue is coming off a pretty rough season—1-11, yikes. But Odom and his crew are determined to turn that ship around. They’re aiming to get the Boilermakers back to their “winning ways” on the field.
So, what do you think? Excited to see how this spring showcase goes?
Instead of watching practice I was hoping actually see a spring game