Members of The Paint Crew, the student section at Purdue men’s basketball games, have received warnings regarding inappropriate chants directed at the university. An email was sent informing members that they could lose their membership after a chant emerged calling for the firing of head football coach Ryan Walters. The “Fire Walters” chant occurred towards the end of Purdue’s 72-50 win over Northern Kentucky on Friday, coinciding with a rough season in which the Boilermakers were 1-7 in football. This followed a significant defeat to Ohio State, leading them to a record of 1-8. The Purdue Exponent acquired a copy of the email sent to The Paint Crew members over the weekend. “We have a strong reputation and are well-respected in college basketball for our class,” the email read. “That said, we will not engage in chants that criticize our own players or coaches or those of other teams. Participation in such chants, including those aimed at our football coach, may result in removal and revocation of membership for the season.”
According to Nathan Baird of the Indianapolis Star, The Paint Crew leaders sent out the email following a recommendation from Purdue’s athletic department to issue a statement “denouncing the negativity.” Purdue’s men’s basketball team will be back in action on Monday night, facing Yale at home.
Leave a Reply