Oct. 30, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Thanks to the incredible support from Wildcat fans the last 15 days, a former Heisman trophy finalist will be painted purple from head-to-toe tomorrow before the NU football game against No. 12 Penn State. As part of Purplepalooza, Darnell Autry accepted his former teammate Pat Fitzgerald's challenge to paint himself purple if the Wildcats got 5,000 fans on Facebook before October 30.
On Thursday night (Oct. 29), Ryan Sybesma signed in as the 5,000th fan on the Northwestern Athletics Facebook page to seal Autry's fate as the new Purple Pride Guy. Unfortunately, Sybesma is unable to attend the game, so NU student and varsity diver, Carlin Dacey was the next fan in line on the Facebook page to do the honors. Dacey will be grabbing her brush at 3 p.m. in Wildcat Alleyween to paint Autry purple so be sure to head out to the free pregame fan fest area located just north of the stadium to watch Autry turn purple.
"Darnell has been a great sport throughout this whole challenge," said Tracie Hitz, associate athletic director for sales and marketing. "He was checking the Facebook page several times a day and even wrote back to fans on the wall to thank them and encourage them to get this done."
Autry also recorded the Fitzball.com video with Fitzgerald over the summer that was sent to Wildcat fans two weeks ago to spread the word about the Purplepalooza challenge, which encouraged everyone to wear purple to this game and every Wildcat game in general. For the fans who want to show as much purple pride as Autry, he will be giving away $100 in cash and $100 in Wildcat Football tickets at halftime on Walker Terrace to the fans with the best purple costumes -- a total of 24 winners (and a nod to Autry's jersey number as a Wildcat).
"I am grateful for the opportunities Northwestern has provided for me so being able to give back to the school, the community and a former teammate is very special," Autry said. "When I was playing I loved to see the fans all painted in purple so I think it will be fun to go to that extreme for the team this year."
The Wildcats are grateful to all of the fans who helped us reach our Purplepalooza goal, including those who forwarded the Fitzball.com video on to their friends and family. A special thank you to season ticket holders Wayne and Peggy Mraz who sent this message on to the most people, which means they have won two tickets to watch tomorrow's game in the luxurious Stadium Club.
Tickets are still available for the game for as low as $35 so make Purplepalooza part of your Halloween plans this weekend. The biggest Halloween party of the year includes trick or treating with Wildcat student-athletes in Wildcat Alleyween beginning at 1:30 p.m., Autry turning purple at 3 p.m. in Wildcat Alleyween, an incredible Big Ten Football matchup, a purple costume contest at halftime and a fireworks show after the game compliments of Harris Bank. Plus, in the North Beach Parking Lot this week Wildcat tailgaters can watch other college football games beginning at 11:30 a.m. before and after the Wildcats' game.
The Wildcats encourage fans to wear costumes and be purple, but please note that oversized costumes and toy weapons will not be allowed into the stadium. Also, as you are leaving the game, please be careful as trick-or-treaters may still be walking around the neighborhood.
Fans can continue to join the Northwestern Athletics Facebook page to keep up on all of the latest Wildcat events, promotions, giveaways, contests and ticket discounts. For more information, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu