Super Fan Spotlight

Emily Shaw - Cincinnati, OH

Emily is a die-hard Purdue fan and alum who recently scored tickets to watch the Boilermakers in Phoenix for the Final Four.

We sat down with her to get the full story in this exclusive Super Fan Spotlight.

What classifies you as a Purdue Super Fan? 

I graduated from Purdue and then worked there for several years. Going to basketball and football games with friends was a highlight of that time, through the good and bad seasons. When I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to, I traveled over 1,900 miles to support Purdue in the Final Four (to be fair, I took a very convoluted travel route)!

What's your favorite moment as a fan? 

In general, I love to see former players and program personnel support the team. Seeing coach Gene Keady consistently cheer on the boilers in person at age 87 is special. In this tournament, I would have to say my favorite moment was the Cam Heidi putback dunk against UConn. Overall, favorite moment has been Purdue's 2019 NCAA tournament win against Tennessee.

Share your experience acquiring tickets on the app and attending a game in person!

Although I have been a lifelong Purdue fan, the only NCAA tournament game I have ever attended in person was the infamous FDU game. That game left me with a healthy amount of trauma and fan superstition. I had a little bit of doubt that I should ever be allowed to watch Purdue in person again. However, as a Purdue basketball fan, I also know that you can’t take any good years or teams for granted, and that the tourney run can be over at any time. I also knew our team this year was special. With that in mind, I was hopeful to get to see them play in person in the tournament this year.

I was new to the Autograph app this year (shoutout to Fletcher Loyer for his promotion of it on Instagram) but soon after downloading it, I dug into the content and entered every single contest opportunity to win tickets to see the rounds of play for Purdue’s region. I entered the final ticket opportunity not thinking that I would win but knowing that it was really my only chance to get tickets to the final four as regular tickets were too expensive. I was shocked when I received the email that I had won that I ended the work meeting I was in early when I saw the email come through. I immediately called my mom, who is a huge Purdue basketball fan and Purdue grad who was in college the last time they made the final four, to tell her that we were going to Phoenix! 

The trip was such a whirlwind and something that never would have happened without Autograph. I won the tickets Wednesday afternoon, put in my PTO request on Thursday, and we were on our way out west by Friday. Although Purdue didn’t win it all as I had hoped they would, the experience was unreal. The amount of Purdue fans at the game and the area surrounding the stadium on Saturday and Monday that came out to support the team was amazing. "Boiler Up" chants could be heard all around the stadium. I truly believe if a fanbase was able to will a national championship into being, Purdue would have won. 

This is an experience that I never would have undertaken if I had not won tickets through Autograph. But, because of the contest, I was able to take a once in a lifetime trip with my mom. I watched Purdue in their first final four in over 40 years, and experienced a part of the country I had never seen before, taking side trips to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. This is something I know that my mom and I will always remember, and we want to say thank you to the folks at Autograph!

What's the best game you've ever attended for your team?

Even though the game against NC State was a little rough for Purdue, that would have to be the best one I have ever attended because of the significance, atmosphere, and ultimate win.

What's the craziest thing you've ever done as a fan?

Taking an extremely last minute trip to attend a Final Four on the other side of the country.

What's the most memorable fan item you've ever spent money on?

A game worn jersey.

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