Notre Dame Won't Allow Purdue Drum on Field, Miss First Performance Since 1979

The Boilermakers’ 100-year-old bass drum, dubbed the World’s Largest Drum, will miss its first performance since 1979.

This weekend's matchup between Purdue and Notre Dame will be missing one iconic member—the World’s Largest Drum. 

For the first time since 1979, the Boilermakers’ 100-year-old bass drum will miss a performance can't fit through visiting team tunnel in South Bend, and the Fighting Irish refused to let the Purdue band use the main tunnel, per Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star.

Thursday marked the 100th anniversary of the drum, which is more than 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide. 

Happy Anniversary to the World’s Largest Drum! Too bad @NDFootball won’t let it on the field this weekend…👀 #boilerup #hammerdown #letsplayfootball #purdue #collegemarching #notredame https://t.co/sUiBmDb5bx

— Purdue Bands & Orchestras (@PurdueBands) September 16, 2021

This is not a surprising move for Notre Dame, despite them historically allowing Purdue to use the big bass drum. In recent seasons, the program halted giving field access to bands outside of halftime performances. 

Saturday marks the first time Purdue has been in South Bend since 2012, but they have not met at all in seven years.