History of the Old Oaken Bucket

In 1925, a meeting among Indiana and Purdue alumni resulted in the nation’s second oldest collegiate football trophy: the Old Oaken Bucket.

Alumni from the two schools decided their long-standing football rivalry needed an official prize, and gave Clarence Jones of Indiana and Russel Gray of Purdue the task of finding a suitable trophy for the annual showdown. The men decided an old oaken bucket best represented the traditions of the state. Soon thereafter, another duo from Indiana and Purdue began searching for the actual prize and found the coveted bucket on the old Bruner farm in southern Indiana. Folklore suggests the bucket may have been used during the Civil War by a Confederate general.

In honor of the winning school, a chain link in the form of an “I” or “P” is added to the bucket annually. And in the rare event of a tie, a joint “I-P” link is placed on the chain.

Purdue currently holds the Old Oaken Bucket and has more wins in the matchup, leading IU 55-26.

Old Oaken Bucket Facts

• The first Old Oaken Bucket game on November 21, 1925, ended in a 0-0 tie.
• Purdue has captured the bucket in 10 of the last 12 games.
• While the contest is in its 85th year, the actual bucket is believed to be well over 100 years old.