GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 1 38
half the town of Buffalo, Tiller's
players at Wyoming and Purdue and
even some of his college teammates
from Montana State.
"It was a great chance to thank
the old man for all he did for us,"
All-America kicker Travis Dorsch
said. "With the guys we had there —
we had CEOs of companies to future
NFL Hall of Famers and just overall
great people there — that speaks to
the impact that Coach had on us all."
For the inner circle, it's been no
secret Tiller has been battling some
chronic health issues lately. And that
played a role in mobilizing his foot-
BY ALAN KARPICK AKarpick@GoldandBlack.com
I
t was time.
Since Joe Tiller permanently moved to Wyoming not long
after his Boilermaker coaching tenure ended nine years ago,
he has given a tongue-in-cheek blanket invitation for former
players and friends to visit him and wife Arnette at their home
in Buffalo.
During the first weekend of July, several former players and
coaches took him up on the offer. Joe and Arnette were celebrat-
ing their 50th wedding anniversary with a party that involved
Anniversary
Gathering
PRESENTS:
PURDUE'S GREATEST STORIES,
TRADITIONS AND PEOPLE
Joe and Arnette Tiller, on their wedding day in 1967,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
with former players and coaches.
Members of Boilermaker football family recall trek
to Wyoming to celebrate
Travis Dorsch
During the visit, Tiller and Drew Brees went toe-to-toe in a game of Cribbage. Brees'
appearance in Buffalo, Wyo., was icing on the cake for the memorable visit.