It’s a good thing that the official mascot of Purdue is the Boilermaker Special VII, as the national perception of our beloved Purdue Pete is not strong:
What makes a mascot creepy? Is it a blank stare, intimidating facial expression, or disproportionately large head? If you take a look at the three creepiest mascots in America, you’ll see that the answer is a resounding yes.
Purdue Pete, of Purdue University, is the proud owner of all three, landing him squarely at the top of the list. In fact, if you type in “Purdue Pete” on Google, one of the first suggestions is “Purdue Pete creepy.