Purdue Football Adds ‘Bench Strength’ to Tackle Spread of Infections

Boilermakers adopt CuVerro copper offense to help team stay healthy and win more games

Purdue has equipped its weight training room with Black Iron Strength Dumbbells featuring CuLEAN antimicrobial copper. The handles continuously kill 99.9% of infection causing bacteria they contact. (Photo: Business Wire)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.--()--Under new head football coach Jeff Brohm, known as an innovative offensive mastermind, the Purdue University Boilermakers are adopting a potent new scheme to help the team stay healthy and win more games.

The “CuVerro® Offense,” named after the EPA-registered copper alloy used on the surfaces of the team’s new weight training equipment, is already at work penetrating the defenses of infection causing bacteria.

In fact, the team’s new CuLEAN® Black Iron Strength® dumbbells with copper handles are tackling an important job. They are helping reduce health risks from the spread of infections by continuously killing 99.9% of bacteria they contact in the weight room.

“Our program is all about what is best for the athlete,” said Justin Lovett, Director of Football Strength & Conditioning. “Knowing the bactericidal benefits of the CuLEAN line, our only question was, ‘How could we not use this equipment?’”

Lovett, who joined Brohm’s Purdue staff after championship turns with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Denver Broncos, is a self-confessed germophobe who shares his head coach’s focus on innovation.

“We are all about keeping athletes healthy and in top playing condition,” Lovett said. “In the strength and conditioning facility, that objective is in sharp focus. That’s why we want our equipment to be top of the line, state of the art.

“During the season, our weight equipment helps prevent the spread of germs that lead to illness and lost playing time. In the off-season, it keeps on fighting to reduce the spread of infection-causing bacteria common in our winter climate.”

Purdue is building out a master plan for its football program. Brohm and Lovett, who worked with one another at Western Kentucky, have been active in planning for the new strength and conditioning facilities. Black Iron Strength has supplied two sets, or 60 pairs, of Germ Buster® brand dumbbell sets for the current facility.

“To compete in the Big Ten these days, we must be cutting edge,” he said. “At the same time, we are intent on building a program that stands the test of time. The CuVerro surfaces on our dumbbells line up with those ideals.

“As far as I am concerned, we have a higher level of ‘bench strength’ in our program because CuVerro is engaged to combat the threat of infections,” Lovett concluded.

Products made with CuVerro copper are gaining attention among teams and owners and operators of athletic facilities and health and fitness clubs around the country, according to Tom Grace, President of Black Iron Strength®.

“Teams remember things like MRSA outbreaks or other ailments that affect performance on the field of play,” he said. “Our line of CuLEAN products is becoming a part of their efforts to help avoid similar situations.”

About CuVerro®

CuVerro is manufactured by GBC Metals, LLC, doing business as Olin Brass, a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper, Inc. which is a subsidiary of Global Brass and Copper Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BRSS), the leading manufacturer and distributor of copper, copper‐alloy and bactericidal copper sheet, strip, plate, foil, rod, ingot and fabricated components in North America and one of the largest in the world. GBC Metals engages in the melting, casting, rolling, drawing, extruding and stamping of specialized copper and copper alloys finished products from scrap, cathode and other refined metals. (OB‐0034‐1510)

About Black Iron Strength®

Black Iron Strength products (visit www.blackironstrength.com) are sold by Grace Premier Fitness and Wellness Products, Inc., the leading worldwide distributor for the US Patented CuLEAN antimicrobial copper touch points on the Black Iron Strength® free weight equipment handles and touch surfaces featuring the CuVerro bactericidal copper components. For more information, contact Tom Grace (tom@gracefitness.com).

Contacts

GBC Metals, LLC (d/b/a Olin Brass)
Angela Woody
502.473.6611
angela.woody@olinbrass.com

Contacts

GBC Metals, LLC (d/b/a Olin Brass)
Angela Woody
502.473.6611
angela.woody@olinbrass.com