As Homecoming events kicked off Sunday with Make a Difference Day, the university prepares for yet another march at the Homecoming Parade on Friday. This year’s Parade Grand Marshal is Chicago Bears football player Nick Roach, Weinberg ‘07, the Northwestern Alumni Association announced on its Web site.
The Homecoming committee decided on Roach after sorting through a list of possible marshals.
“He’s a hometown guy and [is] doing some great things for the Chicago Bears,” said Kate Wesner, assistant director of student services for the Alumni Association and overseer of the Homecoming organization.
The committee worked with the Bears athletic department to have Roach at the parade. This weekend, the football team will travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals.
Roach will lead the parade on Sheridan Road on Friday evening immediately after the end of the Homecoming pep rally at Deering Field. Newly inaugurated President Morton Shapiro will also attend both events, Wesner said.
Meanwhile, the highlights during the week include DM Trivia Monday, a performance from Chicago improv group Comedy Sportz Tuesday and a blood drive Tuesday and Wednesday. Going along with this year’s theme “Got Purple?” the blood drive encourages students to “Give Red.”
The weekend events include a football game against Indiana University at 11 a.m. on Saturday. In another show of purple-theme spirit, the winning windows from the Paint the Town Purple — a now-traditional campaign to paint Evanston shop windows in display of Northwestern pride — will be announced Saturday at the game.