University of Minnesota Homecoming 2011 Parade is Oct. 21

The University of Minnesota and Student Unions & Activities present the Homecoming 2011 Parade, which kicks off at 7pm Friday, Oct. 21. The parade will travel down University Avenue, beginning at 15th Avenue.

What: University of Minnesota Homecoming 2011 Parade
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21
Where: 15th Avenue S.E. and University Avenue S.E., Minneapolis

The University of Minnesota and Student Unions & Activities present the Homecoming 2011 Parade, which kicks off at 7pm Friday, Oct. 21. The parade will travel down University Avenue, beginning at 15th Avenue.

This year will feature Grand Marshal Coach Jerry Kill, represented in the parade by his mother Sonja, wife Rebecca and two daughters, Krystal and Tasha. Coach Kill will be present to address the crowd at the Pep Fest following the parade in TCF Bank Stadium.

Following the parade, the U of M will be hosting "Pep Fest: Featuring a Performance by Atmosphere" at TCF Bank stadium. New this year, attendees must purchase tickets to attend pep fest. Tickets are available at mygophersports.com.

Other notable guests in this year’s Homecoming Parade include university President Eric Kaler and his wife, Karen, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Goldy Gopher and the current and alumni marching bands and spirit squads. Additionally, over 80 unique entries will travel down University Avenue, ranging from the men’s gymnastics team to the Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, which includes 73 brothers from 30 different nationalities. Lining University Avenue will also be the traditional house fronts made out of maroon and gold pomp.

Jerry Kill was named head coach of the University of Minnesota football program on December 7, 2010. He came to Minnesota after spending three seasons on the sidelines at Northern Illinois University. Coach Kill led the Huskies to three consecutive bowl games during his tenure. In addition to winning on the field, Kill’s tenure at Northern Illinois included high achievement in the classroom. In his first two seasons at Northern Illinois, his team compiled the highest cumulative grade-point averages in school history.

Since 1914, the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, has celebrated Homecoming, a week dedicated to honoring the spirit of the maroon and gold. This celebration brings the campus community together with events such as a campus-wide scavenger hunt, cheer and lip sync competitions, sports competitions, community service events, pep rallies and the Homecoming parade and football game.

Visit the homecoming website at homecoming.umn.edu.

• © 2009-2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
• The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer
• Last modified on October 18, 2011