Imagine the ultimate Purdue sports memorabilia collection… not in West Lafayette, but just a stone’s throw from IU’s Assembly Hall! Meet Chris Pate, the superfan whose basement rivals a museum. How did this incredible trove of Boilermaker history end up in enemy territory, and what’s next for these cherished artifacts?
In a surprising twist of collegiate allegiance, the world’s most extensive private collection of Purdue sports memorabilia resides not within the familiar confines of West Lafayette, but merely twenty miles from Indiana University’s iconic Assembly Hall. This remarkable trove belongs to Chris Pate, whose unwavering devotion to the Purdue Boilermakers has culminated in an unparalleled historical archive, a testament to decades of athletic prowess and fanatical dedication. His passion transcends simple fandom, aiming to preserve and share the rich legacy of Purdue’s storied athletic past, making this collection a significant cultural asset for the university community.
Pate’s deep-rooted connection to Purdue is evident throughout his life, subtly marked by the names of his French bulldogs, Skillet and Amelia, honoring legendary figures in Purdue football and aviation. His wife, Corry, a fellow Purdue alumna, actively encourages his collecting endeavors, provided the expansive array of artifacts remains meticulously curated within their home’s lower level. Pate, whose business card unofficially declares him “Purdue Sports Collector,” enjoys a unique association with the athletic department, signifying the seriousness and scale of his commitment to preserving Purdue Boilermakers history.
The seemingly contradictory location of this vast collection, nestled within a region synonymous with rival Indiana athletics, stems from practical considerations. Pate’s professional career at Naval Support Activity Crane made the area a convenient base. His work involves equipping F-18 fighter jets with advanced radar-jamming technology, providing a fascinating contrast to his intense dedication to college sports history and the pursuit of rare sports memorabilia.
Pate’s formative years at Purdue coincided with an exceptional period in the university’s college basketball history, including the men’s basketball team’s Big Ten championship three-peat during his freshman year and the arrival of legendary football coach Joe Tiller. He was also a classmate of Ukari Figgs, a key player in the 1999 women’s Final Four national championship team. These experiences offered him unique real-time access to discarded or phased-out Purdue memorabilia, laying the groundwork for his eventual deep dive into collecting, even catching the game ball from the women’s national championship celebration.
While his initial passion was ignited during his student days, Chris Pate’s true collecting odyssey began after graduation. His early efforts involved a modest display in a China cabinet, a far cry from the expansive museum-like basement he now curates. A pivotal moment arrived with the discovery of a 1995 men’s basketball Big Ten championship ring on eBay, purchased for a sum that, while initially significant, pales in comparison to the value of later acquisitions. This early purchase solidified his resolve and set the stage for a collecting journey that would define a major part of his life.
Pate adeptly cultivated what he terms a “good ‘ol boys network” among collectors of other Big Ten teams, fostering a collaborative environment for locating and acquiring elusive pieces. His reputation also grew among local pawn shops in Tippecanoe County, who learned to alert him about any historical Purdue sports memorabilia that crossed their counters. Among the most cherished items in his collection is a 1967 Rose Bowl game ball, signed by the entire team and originally presented to astronaut Roger Chaffee, a Purdue graduate. This piece holds profound significance for Pate, transcending mere sports history given his own unfulfilled astronaut ambitions.
The collection continues to evolve with modern acquisitions, including a pair of Zach Edey’s enormous, well-worn shoes, a testament to the two-time national player of the year’s impact and the difficulty of finding appropriately sized gear. By 2002, the sheer volume of artifacts necessitated a dedicated space, leading Pate and his wife to design their current home with a specific purpose: housing the ever-growing collection in the basement. This space, while still accommodating overnight guests, is a vibrant shrine to Purdue Boilermakers athletics, adorned floor-to-ceiling with colors, apparel, and heirlooms.
Ultimately, Pate’s vision extends beyond personal enjoyment. He firmly believes that “some of it is too good to be in my basement” and that the historical collection “needs to be at Purdue” for broader public display. This aspiration is gradually taking shape, with select pieces already contributing to the newly renovated Pete Dye Clubhouse at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. Discussions are also underway with the basketball staff to explore incorporating Pate’s treasured items into the Mackey Arena concourse, with future displays at football facilities remaining a strong possibility, ensuring this extraordinary Purdue memorabilia collection becomes a shared legacy.
