Purdue unveils new student gate design in honor of superfan Tyler Trent
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Purdue students will soon be greeted by a new entryway into Boilermaker football games.
Purdue President Mitch Daniels announced the change during a press conference at the student entrance of Ross-Ade Stadium Wednesday morning.
A donated steel arch will bear the name of Tyler Trent and will be soon known as the Tyler Trent Student Gate.
Trent, a Purdue graduate and superfan lost his battle to cancer Jan. 1.
The unveiled design will also include a plaque dedicated to Trent’s memory.
“The plaque will tell future generations who he was, why this gate bears his name and what he will always mean to Purdue history,“ said Purdue President Mitch Daniels.
Daniels also announced the first recipient of the Tyler Trent Courage and Resilience Award. The full-tuition scholarship has been awarded to Sean English, a freshman from Northville, Mich.
“I’m stunned and honored to receive an award that bears Tyler’s name,” English said. “Without this support and that of Purdue University over the past year, I would never have been able to achieve my dream of attending college, let alone an institution such as Purdue.”
Daniels said the scholarship is to be awarded each year to a student who possesses the characteristics of courage in the face of difficulty.