FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Oct. 12, 2007
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications (304) 696-7153
 

Mike Bartrum to serve as grand marshal in MU homecoming parade

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Mike Bartrum, a former NFL and Marshall University football standout, will be the grand marshal in the university’s annual homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 27, Tish Littlehales, director of alumni relations, said today.

The parade, sponsored by the Student Government Association, begins at noon downtown near the Big Sandy Superstore Arena and ends at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.  Marco, the Marshall cheerleaders, the Marching Thunder and special dignitaries will take part. Marshall plays host to Rice University at 4:30 p.m. in the homecoming football game.

Bartrum, who retired after the 2006 season, was regarded as one of the best long snappers in the NFL. He played 13 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. At Marshall, he was a two-year starter and three-year letterman (1989, 1991 and 1992), earning all-Southern Conference honors as a senior and helping lead Marshall to the Division I-AA national championship in 1992.

Bartrum, a native of Meigs County (Ohio), was presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award this past April during Alumni Weekend at Marshall.

“Through his work with the Bartrum-Brown Football Camp, which funds youth programs and charities, Mike continues to have a positive impact on the Huntington and Marshall communities,” Littlehales said. “He has always been well respected on and off the field. Marshall University is honored that Mike is willing and able to share our homecoming with us by serving as grand marshal in the parade.”

Bartrum also is one of eight former Thundering Herd student-athletes who will be inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 26. The Class of 2007 Induction Banquet will take place at the Grand Theatre at the Pullman Plaza Hotel. A reception starts at 5:30, followed by the induction banquet at 6:30 p.m.

The parade is one of many events planned for homecoming week, Oct. 22-27. Marshall student organizations and local high school bands will be competing for thousands of dollars in cash prizes in the parade. The deadline to submit an entry form in the float competition is Wednesday, Oct. 17. Entry forms are available in the Student Government Association office in the Memorial Student Center or by contacting Amy Isble at amy.isble@marshall.edu. Floats will be judged on theme, attractiveness, creativity and personality.

Bands will be judged on music, marching and general effect. For more information on the band competition, contact Rachel Sargent at Rachel.sargent@marshall.edu.

Winners of the float competition in the 2006 parade were: first place – Sigma Sigma Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon; second place – Campus Flood; third place – Phi Mu and Sigma Tau Gamma. Huntington High School won the band competition.

Here is a brief look at events sponsored by the Marshall University Alumni Association:

·        The first official Alumni Association event of homecoming weekend is the Coaches Breakfast Friday morning, Oct. 26, at the Erickson Alumni Center. This live radio broadcast lets those present as well as radio listeners get to know some of Marshall’s coaches. The DAWG, 93.7 FM, will start broadcasting at 6 a.m.

  • The Marshall University Foundation will kick off “The Bridge” at 3 p.m. Friday at the John Marshall Statue on John Marshall Drive. “The Bridge” will connect academics, athletics and alumni through construction of the College of Information Technology and Engineering Laboratory facility, the women’s softball field and the new Alumni and Foundation Center.
  • The Party at Pullman Square begins at 7 p.m. Friday with a performance from the Subway Beach Band, which plays music from the 1950s,’60s,’70s and ’80s. Food and beverages will be available. The party will last into the evening.

·        A pre-game tailgate, planned in conjunction with Black Alumni, Inc., takes place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday in the Thunderzone Corporate Area located on the east side of Joan C. Edwards Stadium just across from Gate E.

 

For more information on the Alumni Association events, call Nancy Pelphrey at (304) 696-3134.

The theme of this year’s homecoming is “Marshall’s … Whoooo’s Bringing the Thunder.” The “Whoooo’s” is in reference to the Rice University Owls, the Thundering Herd’s Conference USA opponent in the football game.

“Homecoming is always one of the most exciting times of the year for Marshall alumni, students and faculty,” Littlehales said. “This year will be no different, with many special events and activities planned for our alumni, students, staff and friends from near and far. We look forward to meeting and greeting everyone during what will be a fantastic homecoming week.”

Day by day, here are other events planned during homecoming week:

 

Monday, Oct. 22

 
Marshall employees are asked to decorate their offices to promote the homecoming theme. Prizes will be awarded at the Coaches Breakfast Friday morning.

 

Wednesday, Oct. 24

The naming of the homecoming court will take place at noon in the lobby of the Memorial Student Center on the Huntington campus.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Center in Point Pleasant is the site of the sixth annual homecoming tailgate celebration called “Thunder Into Mason County.” The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Those attending will have the opportunity to visit the center, meet Marshall dignitaries as well as Mid-Ohio Valley Center administrators. Music, food and fun will be provided.

 

Thursday, Oct. 25

 

Office decoration judging begins at noon.

 

Also, the Student Government Association will be conducting a canned food drive on campus to help the Huntington City Mission. The SGA also will be taking donations for the Habitat Restore, a store Habitat for Humanity runs where people can take household items to be sold at low prices.


Friday, Oct. 26
 Green & White Day

The Fourth Annual J-walk begins at noon on the student center plaza. This fundraiser for the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications has raised more than $18,000 for equipment. Participants may walk or sponsor a student to walk for them. A silent auction of items donated from area businesses will take place, local radio stations will be doing live remotes, and Marco and the MU dance team will entertain the crowd. All walkers get a free t-shirt. For more information on how to get involved with the J-walk, contact the J-school at (304) 696-2360.  

Marshall’s College of Information Technology and Engineering will have an alumni reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at Savannah’s Restaurant at 1208 6th Ave. Capacity is limited, so persons are asked to R.S.V.P. before Oct. 18 by calling the CITE office at (304) 696-5453.

Parent & Family Weekend kicks off with a reception hosted by Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp and his wife, Jane, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center lobby. During this informal gathering, those attending will have an opportunity to mingle with Dr. and Mrs. Kopp along with deans from each college. Light hors d’oeuvres and punch will be served.

Members of Black Alumni Inc. will gather at the Pullman Plaza Hotel, with registration beginning at 7 p.m. They will gather for a viewing of the movie, We Are Marshall, at 7:30 p.m. The Dance at the Plaza begins at 9 p.m.

The Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2007 Induction Banquet will take place at the Grand Theatre at the Pullman Plaza Hotel. The inductees include: Mike Bartrum (football, 1993-1996); Ron Darby (football, 1986-1989); Aaron Ferguson (football, 1993-1996); Rodney Holden (basketball, 1984-1988); Frank Huffman (football, 1936-1938); Mike Kaufman (baseball, 1971-1975); Billy Lyon (football, 1993-1996), and John Taft (basketball, 1988-1991). For tickets, call the Marshall athletic ticket office at (304) 696-HERD or 1 (800) THE-HERD. For more information, call Linda Holmes at (304) 691-1711.

A reception for the 1971 Young Thundering Herd football team will take place at 8 p.m. in the Hartley Room in Cam Henderson Center to honor Dan Canada as the distinguished M Club member for 2007. Canada will be presented with an M Club blanket during the MU-Rice football game. For more information, call Allen Meadows at (304) 736-6293 or (304) 412-3990.

Saturday, Oct. 27

The 12th annual Marshall Alumni 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the MU Recreational Sports Office, will take place at 8 a.m. Registration is $15 through Oct. 26 (non-refundable); $20 on race day. Call Sharon Stanton at (304) 696-2943 or e-mail stanton@marshall.edu for more information.

Other events for Black Alumni Inc. include the annual business meeting, election and awards ceremony at the Alumni Lounge in the Memorial Student Center at 9:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., the group will visit Spring Hill Cemetery for a graveside ceremony in honor of the 1970 football team. A tailgate party will take place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in the Thunderzone Corporate Area located on the east side of the stadium just across from Gate E.  A dance starts at 9:30 p.m. at the Pullman Plaza Hotel. The cost for the entire package of Black Alumni Inc. events is $75 per person. For questions and to RSVP, call Janis Winkfield at (304) 696-3158 or (304) 416-0938.

Parent & Family Weekend continues with a parent and student breakfast at 10 a.m. in the Don Morris Room of the Memorial Student Center. Student speakers will provide updates for campus projects. Those attending are then invited to join the crowd along 5th Avenue to watch the homecoming parade.

Marshall’s H.E.L.P. Program will have its 2007 Open House/Meet the Tutors at Wilbur E. Myers Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. This will be an informal opportunity for parents to meet and discuss their students’ progress, followed by a brief program. All interested persons are invited to attend and refreshments will be served. 

Parent & Family Weekend continues with a pre-game tailgate from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Thunderzone Corporate Area located on the east side of the stadium just across from Gate E.

The College of Information Technology and Engineering will have its 8th annual CITE Tailgate at the Football Practice Field (just east of the football stadium on 3rd Avenue). A barbeque lunch will be provided. The tent will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. No reservation is needed. Call (304) 696-5453 for more information.

Marshall plays host to Rice at 4:30 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in the homecoming football game.

The Step Show, sponsored by the National PanHellenic Council, will take place at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center after the game at 7:45 p.m. The cost is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in Memorial Student Center room 2W27, room 1W25, and at Xpressions 4 U at 825 4th Ave.

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