Purdue students walk out of offensive Andy Gross comedy set during Boiler Gold Rush

Each year, Purdue University's annual Boiler Gold Rush event serves as a week-long introduction to campus for incoming freshman and a way for the newest Boilermakers to forge long-lasting bonds while learning their way around.

But this year, the event ended with thousands of students bonding together in opposition to a comedian accused of sexually harassing a student leader in front of more than 7,000 of her peers and the university vowing to never associate with him again.

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"On Saturday night, a comedian performed as part of our BGR student orientation closing session," Purdue officials said in a statement provided to IndyStar. "Accounts differ as to what exactly happened on stage, but some portions of the performance were clearly inappropriate and contrary to the university’s values of respect and support for all."

"We will not work with this comedian again and are proud of our students who are standing up and voicing their concerns about the performance."

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The comedian referred to in the university statement is Andy Gross, a ventriloquist and illusionist known for his touring show and YouTube channel that has amassed millions of views.

Uncomfortable audience volunteer

Students in attendance, including freshman Andora Fess of San Francisco, said Gross' show was unfunny and distasteful throughout, but it took a troubling turn for the worse when he called a student up to the stage to serve as a volunteer.

"He brought up one of our supers, which is a leader in our BGR orientation program, and he proceeded to harass her," Fess explained. "He made her stand closer and closer to him and made a joke about that giving him a erection and making his pants seem to say 'let me out,' referring to his genitals."

Fess said Gross then made the student stand back-to-back with him, despite her apparent discomfort.

While standing back-to-back, Fess said Gross made the student touch his upper thigh, and made a joke about "at least getting a feel" after performing a magic trick.

"In the beginning it was disbelief and extreme discomfort. I know I was pretty angry and just in shock that this seemingly very famous person was treating women like this at a school, and he continue to make jokes at the expense of women ... he made a Matt Lauer joke," Fess said. "It was just very distasteful, and once he started doing that, people in the audience started to get up. He came into the crowd, and none of the women would volunteer, and he just kept making sexual jokes even as the crowd was leaving."

Purdue representative took stage

Fess said after Gross finished, a representative from the university took the stage and said the performance does not represent Purdue and its values. The Center for Advocacy, Response and Education at Purdue also released the following statement via Twitter.

"CARE was contacted earlier this evening regarding a performance during the BGR closing ceremony that was described as harassing and offensive. As a result, a CARE advocate responded to campus to offer support to students," said the statement. "If you were impacted by this evening's event and need to speak with someone, please remember that support is available 24/7."

Students also made a statement by creating the hashtag #AndyGrossisGross on social media. Just moments after the performance, students and others in attendance were spreading the word about Gross and asking the university to take action.

If anyone saw the show at Purdue tonight, I hope that you can join me in boycotting Andy gross. We need to recognize sexual harassment for what it is and not let it go unpunished. No means no no matter where you are and who is watching. #AndyGrossIsGross — allisynsmith (@allisynsmith) August 19, 2018

#BGR18 #andygrossisgross



Huge discomfort at Andy Gross’s performance at BGR. Very uncomfortable sexual jokes, participants crying afterwards... Tears in audience as well. Many started walking out, eventually all did. TL’s/supers are apologizing. “This isn’t BGR, this isn’t us.” — Ryan (@rgrunsten) August 19, 2018

pretty sure purdue students are willing to put our rivalry with iu on hold so that we can put all of our vengeful energy into ending andy gross’s career #AndyGrossisGross — leah (@lkline1998) August 19, 2018

Gross's Wikipedia page was also altered to include the incident, and the following paragraph was added to his bio Sunday.

"On the 18th of August, 2018, Andy Gross was invited to perform in front of a group of incoming freshman at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. During the course of the event, he engaged in questionable behavior on-stage that prompted several students to walk out during his performance. Said questionable jokes included 'sexually suggestive comments' with a female volunteer on-stage [4], as well as tricking her to grope his butt. Later in the show, he berated female audience members when they refused to participate, and despite this, continued with questionable humor. Self aware, he quipped 'You should call me the Matt Lauer of magic.' More than half of the audience left the theater before the end of the show."

No apology made

Fess said Gross did not acknowledge or apologize for the offense during his performance. As of Sunday afternoon, he has not commented on the incident on social media.

IndyStar has reached out to Gross for comment.

Meanwhile, Fess said she is feeling even closer to her new campus family following the fallout.

"There was a real sense of pride honestly when everyone started to leave because it's kind of like we banded together as a freshman class already," she said. "The students showed what we stand for as a freshman class. Stand up when you see it and call it out when you see it because their time is up."

Seeing the Class of 2022 and BGR staff take a stand against Andy Gross's disgusting "performance" makes me proud to be a Boilermaker. Sexual harassment/assault is not a joke and will NEVER be tolerated. #AndyGrossIsGross — Jonathan Carter (@jjcart21) August 19, 2018

Proud to go to a University that stands for what they believe in. Boiler up. #AndyGrossIsGross — Linds ✞ (@LindseyHopping) August 19, 2018

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at 317-444-6138 or email him at justin.mack@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.