http://www.purdueexponent.com/?module=article&story_id=2505
Inflatable penis may pop back up
By Leroy Bridges
The inflatable penis, as seen at one home game this season and several games last season, might be resurrected yet again at Saturday's televised football game.
That's according to a facebook.com group numbering in 364 members as of Thursday. The goal of the group is to bring as many inflatable penises, one of which appeared at the Minnesota game in late September and was confiscated immediately, to the remaining three home football games as possible.
Brad Sandberg, a junior in the College of Technology and a member of the group, said the penis adds a needed and different level of excitement at football games.
"It's great," said Sandberg. "You see it pop up and you're like 'Oh, there it is again.' It adds some excitement because it's just a big (expletive) penis."
Sandberg said he doesn't plan on bringing the 6-foot inflatable penis to this weekend's game against Wisconsin, but he said it would be humorous to see more of them.
"It adds a lot of flavor, another level of the game," Sandberg said. "They do add some fun for the students to the game."
The University's spokesman, Joe Bennett, said there are plenty of ways to be entertained and he hopes students aren't getting entertainment from the inflatable penis.
"I would say that I personally find that type of expression to be offensive and many other people do as well," said Bennett, who was not aware of the group's objective. "It's worrisome that it shows Purdue students in a light that is less than elegant taste."
Bennett said there is no University policy that students would be violating by bringing the penises to the games; however, he said if the action was determined that it violated obscenity laws it could be a punishable offense.
"It's not something that would have an impact on the destiny of the University, though," Bennett said.
Athletic director Morgan Burke was also unaware of the possible presence of the penises, but Burke said individuals should think about how they want their University portrayed.
"Concern really comes from how each of us who are Purdue students, Purdue faculty, Purdue staff want to have their university viewed," Burke said. "I don't think I should sit as the official censor to the University. But I do as a parent, as a donor and as somebody who pays tuition, I probably do have some views, but I think they are views which are personal in nature and really shouldn't take the vantage as the athletic director at this point in time."
