Canadian Crew, Big Maple shirts bolster support for Purdue's Zach Edey
WEST LAFAYETTE – It’s late January, and Purdue was playing inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena against Iowa and Mike Popik is wearing a black Big Maple shirt.
People are curious. Boilermaker fans. Hawkeye fans.
The interest followed Popik to West Lafayette when he attended the nationally televised Jan. 30 matchup against Ohio State at Mackey Arena three days later, soaking up the Mackey Arena environment for the first time.
“We were stopped on numerous occasions and were greeted with warm welcomes and appreciation for our Big Maple shirts,” Popik said. “The shirts sparked many pleasant conversations between Purdue fans in both Lafayette and Iowa.”
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Big Maple? That’s easy to figure out. The shirts honor Zach Edey, Purdue’s 7-foot-4 center and second-team All-Big Ten selection from Toronto.
“It’s weird to see stuff like that,” Edey said.
Weird but appropriate.
Here’s the deal – only a handful of shirts were printed and Popik has been asked numerous times where to find them. For now, this is an extremely limited edition.
Popik’s roundtrip journey – which included friends Mike Capone, his daughter Julia, a member of Iowa State’s volleyball team in 2021, and Mario Naccarato – started in Canada, made stops in Iowa City and West Lafayette before returning home after logging 1,740 miles.
They call themselves the Canadian Crew.
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“It’s cool for them to come down; it’s a long journey,” Edey said. “I know they watch the games, and they have a little group chat with their friends and talk about the game.”
The long journey was well worth it and they’re hoping to make another trip during the NCAA tournament, which begins Friday for the Boilermakers against Yale in Milwaukee.
Popik’s relationship with the Edeys goes back nearly a decade when Zach and Jacob Popik, Mike’s son, played youth hockey together in Canada.
The two families became close and the Edeys started joining the Popiks for their end-of-the-summer vacations as part of a larger group where beach volleyball was the sport of choice.
Yes, add beach volleyball to the numerous sports Zach played growing up along with baseball, hockey, golf, soccer and everything else.
“I like beach volleyball a lot,” Edey said. “I wish I could play more. I haven’t found anyone to play with, honestly. I like competing and I like learning sports. It’s like the learning curve you go through when you learn new sports and you pick it up and get good. You feel like you’re getting better.”
Beach volleyball became Edey’s “vacation sport,” Popik said.
“Having the Edey family height and athleticism elevated the caliber of our fun games,” Popik said referring to Zach’s parents, Glen and Julia Edey. “We got our fill of beach volleyball.
“The Edeys joined our team where we were challenged to many matches by the resort team, and the Edeys got a break from their grocery bill.”
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While listening to Purdue beat Penn State on Jan. 8 from Caribbean Beach, Popik and his crew decided to plan a road trip for later in the month. Since Julia Capone was at Iowa State, the details came together quickly.
The idea for the shirts came from Naccarato, who settled on Big Maple for two reasons.
“Zach is big,” Popik said. “And he’s Canadian.”
Popik and his friends have attended numerous professional games but the atmosphere and electricity inside Mackey Arena in late January was something he’d never experienced.
“We have never felt or seen that type of energy and support from a crowd,” Popik said.
Popik is quick to acknowledge that the Boilermakers haven’t lost when his crew is watching in person.
“Purdue remains undefeated with us Canucks in attendance,” he said. "The road trip was well worth it with memories we'll cherish for a lifetime. Can't wait to do it again.”
EAST REGIONAL
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Friday
Purdue (27-7) vs. Yale (19-11)
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: TBS
Radio: WAZY (96.5)
Second round: Winner plays either Texas or Virginia Tech on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: March Madness: Purdue basketball vs. Yale | NCAA men's basketball tournament