Another Purdue University astronaut is making news this week, but the people behind the announcement that Eugene Cernan is the new face of the Purdue Alumni Visa credit card said they’re trying to be as quiet as possible about it.

Purdue Federal Credit Union president and CEO Bob Falk said the company pulled the first advertisements announcing that the last man on the moon will be its new spokesman out of respect for Neil Armstrong, who died Saturday at 82.

“We pulled ads at the first football game,” Falk said. “It’s unfortunate and ironic timing. We’re not trying to jump on the bandwagon. But Neil would not say to stop the process.”

Television and radio advertisements for the new credit card will be aired starting Sept. 8, said Darlene Beers, the credit union’s marketing manager, the date of the second Purdue football game.

The new Visa credit card features a picture of Cernan walking on the moon and is expected to attract thousands of carriers. It will be available at any branch starting Saturday, has no annual fee and features a free rewards program.

“This is celebrating the academic side of Purdue, which more of us can relate to,” Falk said.

The credit union, in partnership with the Purdue Alumni Association, hosted a launch party for the card on Wednesday, where they screened the TV advertisement, which features Cernan paying for a cup of coffee with the card in West Lafayette’s Triple XXX Family Restaurant.

“We want to make sure it’s a celebration of Neil as much as it is of Gene,” Falk said.

Cernan’s endorsement replaces that of Purdue alumnus and NFL quarterback Drew Brees, who had a three-year contract with the credit union.

“When you have a spokesperson like Drew and you know that the contract’s coming to an end, that’s a tough act to follow,” Falk said. “I told Drew the next spokesman had to walk on water. Then I said we found someone who’s walked on the moon.”

It took the credit union and its partner the Purdue Alumni Association months to plan the card and get final approval from Visa.

The organizations said they liked the idea of choosing a spokesperson that highlighted Purdue’s academic success.

Kirk Cerny, Purdue Alumni Association president and CEO, said celebrating academics was “central to the discussion” of choosing the next spokesperson and that the organization was pleased with the outcome.

“I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” Cerny said. “It’s a huge point of pride.”

Cernan also has a three-year contract with the company. The card’s limited release has been popular, Falk said.

Will Olympic gold medalist David Boudia be the brand’s next spokesperson?

Probably not, Falk said, although it’s not out of the question.

Falk said choosing a spokesperson is about aligning the brand with someone who has proven his or her character.

He said an athlete in his early 20s still has a lot of time to do that.

“Almost every high-profile athlete approaches us,” Falk said. “When you put someone with your brand, you have to make sure that person lives up to the brand. Gene was a no-brainer. Some companies have lined up with people who have really hurt their brand.”

He also said the next spokesperson could highlight another aspect of Purdue’s success.

“We’ll see where it goes,” Falk said. “Maybe we’ll do another that’s focused on academics.”