Homecoming activities planned for this weekend will allow students to show pride in their country as well as their school.
University officials say this year’s theme, Spartan Pride Worldwide, was chosen long before the tragic events of Sept. 11, but it holds more meaning now.
In remembrance and support of those affected by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, some special events have been added to the agenda.
A delegation of two New York firefighters - Michael Cantwell and Kevin Gorman - and two New York police officers - Peter Jacoutot and Benito Barreiro - have spent the last couple weeks at ground zero, but they will visit MSU to accept donations.
University spokeswoman Lisa Mulcrone said collections will be taken up during the first half and end of the third quarter of the Homecoming football game against the University of Iowa on Saturday.
“The total will be announced and it will be split 50/50 between the fire department of New York and the New York police department to help the families of those who were killed,” she said.
The firefighters and police officers will also walk in the parade on Friday and take part in the Homecoming half-time show during the football game. The parade will also feature MSU president M. Peter McPherson, MSU First Lady Joanne McPherson and this year’s Homecoming Grand Marshal Anthony Heald, a 1970 MSU theater graduate and current star of Fox Television’s “Boston Public.”
Maureen Hall, special assistant to the president and first lady, said one of Joanne McPherson’s goals for MSU was to increase Homecoming events and participation, and she is pleased to see more student involvement.
“More off-campus students groups are building floats and participating in university events,” Hall said.
The parade is bigger than ever this year with around 140 entries.
It will start at 6 p.m. Friday, at the intersection of Abbott and Burcham roads in East Lansing. The route travels down Grand River Avenue to Bogue Street, and ends at the IM Sports-East field.
The IM Sports-East field will take on a whole new face with the Homecoming pep rally, which will include performances from the Spartan Marching Band, an awards presentation for the best floats and fireworks.
After the rally, the MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams will kick off the 2001-2002 basketball season at midnight Friday at the Breslin Center. Fans can get autographs and enjoy performances by the Spartan Marching Band, MSU cheerleaders, MSU Motion and Sparty. Admission is free and doors open at 10:30 p.m.
