WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA — In early June, Liam Murphy had the opportunity to shoot hoops for the first time inside the iconic Mackey Arena at Purdue University.
For passionate college basketball fans, the mention of Mackey evokes thoughts of an electrifying atmosphere. The arena even features a decibel meter to capture the noise levels during games.
“I remember my first few days here when my mom (Eileen) drove me to Mackey, and I started practicing in near silence,” said Murphy, a West Brighton native who is utilizing his final year of eligibility with the Boilermakers.
He shared a playful memory: “When it’s quiet, the decibel meter fluctuates with every bounce of the ball. It’s amusing to watch!” the 6-foot-7 player laughed. “It can get really loud in here.”
Before committing to Purdue, Murphy visited the campus and experienced a casual pick-up game known as ‘noon ball’ with various faculty, former players, and even some older players.
The arena, which opened in 1967, has a capacity of 14,876. According to Purdue’s communications director, around 4,800 students, mainly from the ‘Paint Crew’, attend home games. The decibel level once soared to a record 124.3 when Fletcher Loyer made a three-pointer against Northwestern.
Despite the season’s first game still months away, Murphy is excited about making his debut on Mackey’s hardwood. “I envision what it will be like once I run out onto the court. That will be a special moment,” he reflected.
