Boilermakers, Breakfast, and Black & Gold Saturdays: The Purdue Alumni Club of San Diego’s Breakfast Club Tradition
In the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, where palm trees sway and the Pacific breeze rolls in, a loyal group of Purdue alumni gathers each Saturday during NCAA football season to celebrate their alma mater. They’re not just watching the game—they’re living a tradition that traces its roots all the way back to West Lafayette. This is the Purdue Alumni Club of San Diego’s version of the Breakfast Club, and it all unfolds at the iconic Henry’s Pub.
🏈 From West Lafayette to the West Coast: A Tradition Reborn
To understand the spirit of San Diego’s Breakfast Club, you have to go back to where it all began—Purdue University’s campus in the 1980s. The original Breakfast Club wasn’t about coffee and networking—it was a raucous, costumed, early-morning celebration held before home football games. Students would wake up before dawn, don outrageous outfits, and descend on local bars like Harry’s Chocolate Shop and Where Else? for drinks, dancing, and school spirit.
It was chaotic, it was loud, and it was uniquely Purdue. Over time, it became a rite of passage—part tailgate, part costume party, and all Boilermaker pride. The tradition continues to this day, with students lining up in the dark to kick off game day in style.
☕ San Diego’s Twist on Tradition
The Purdue Alumni Club of San Diego took that energy and gave it a West Coast spin. Instead of costumes and cocktails at sunrise, they created a more refined—but equally spirited—version of the Breakfast Club centered around Saturday morning meetups at Henry’s Pub during football season.
- Held weekly during NCAA football season, the Breakfast Club brings alumni together to watch Purdue games live, share a meal, and reconnect with fellow Boilermakers.
- Henry’s Pub, with its welcoming atmosphere and central location, becomes a Purdue outpost—decked out in black and gold, with screens tuned to the game and tables filled with alumni swapping stories.
- The vibe is electric, especially during big matchups. Cheers erupt with every touchdown, and groans ripple through the crowd during nail-biting moments.
It’s a celebration of Purdue pride, adapted for the laid-back lifestyle of Southern California.
🥞 More Than Just Breakfast
While the original campus Breakfast Club was known for its wild costumes and early-morning revelry, San Diego’s version is all about connection and community.
- Open to all alumni, from recent grads to longtime locals, the Breakfast Club is a welcoming space to meet new people and rekindle old friendships.
- Networking happens naturally, with conversations flowing over coffee and eggs. Engineers chat with educators, entrepreneurs swap ideas, and retirees share wisdom with younger alumni.
- Campus updates and club news are shared regularly, keeping everyone in the loop on Purdue’s latest achievements and local events.
It’s a place where Boilermaker bonds are strengthened—and where the spirit of West Lafayette lives on.
🌞 Why It Works in San Diego
San Diego’s sunny mornings and vibrant alumni base make it the perfect setting for this tradition. The Breakfast Club thrives here because:
- The weather is always game-day ready, making it easy to gather outdoors or stroll to the pub.
- Henry’s Pub is a local favorite, known for its great food, friendly staff, and community vibe.
- The alumni network is active and diverse, with professionals from biotech, education, engineering, and more.
Together, these elements create a uniquely San Diego version of a beloved Purdue tradition.
🎓 Beyond Football
While Saturdays during football season are the highlight, the Purdue Alumni Club of San Diego is active year-round. From volunteer projects and scholarship fundraisers to beach cleanups and brewery tours, the club offers plenty of ways to stay connected.
But there’s something magical about those fall mornings at Henry’s—when the coffee is hot, the game is on, and the room is filled with black and gold.
If you’re a Purdue alum living in or visiting San Diego, don’t miss the chance to join the Breakfast Club at Henry’s Pub. It’s a celebration of school spirit, community, and the simple joy of starting your Saturday with fellow Boilermakers. Because no matter how far you are from West Lafayette, Purdue pride always finds a way to bring people together.
Want help finding the next game day meetup or connecting with the club’s organizers? I’d be happy to assist.
