Homecoming parade, block party count down to kickoff


It's that time of year again – to celebrate our Sun Devil roots, our excellence today, and our opportunities for the future.

ASU's Homecoming festivities are scheduled to take place Oct. 21-29 on all campuses.

Come back to this page for frequent updates and coverage of scheduled events, award winners and time-honored traditions. Go Devils!

_______________________________________________

5K run, walk kicks off Homecoming events at West campus

Frank Kush and his players, coaches, staff to be honored at Legends Luncheon

W. P. Carey School to break ground on new building at Homecoming

New W. P. Carey School Hall of Fame members announced

Haunted house, carnival provide Homecoming fun at West campus

Tempe campus celebrates Sun Devil Homecoming

Sun Devils hit jackpot with Homecoming events at Polytechnic

Make hunger disappear during Homecoming Block Party

Alumni Associate hosts autograph session with Kush-era football players

_______________________________________________


ASU's Sun Devil Homecoming will be one for the ages

Arizona State University is preparing a special homecoming for the ages with a festive parade, Block Party and an exciting football game in Sun Devil Stadium.

The daylong extravaganza is set for Saturday, Oct. 29, in the heart of Tempe.

“Sun Devil Homecoming 2011: Past. Present. Future” will reunite generations of ASU alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends and community supporters to honor the university and its traditions.

“Homecoming is the primary event during the course of the year that brings together the entire ASU community – students, faculty, staff and alumni – along with the community for a major celebration,” said Virgil Renzulli, ASU’s vice president of public affairs. “Tens of thousands of people will attend. There will be lots to do for both adults and children, which makes homecoming both fun and exciting.”

The excitement officially commences with a parade, starting at McAllister Avenue and University Drive and continuing east on University to College Avenue. The parade features nearly 80 units and several colorful floats made by campus organizations and community groups. Members of the Tempe City Council and special guests will sport their maroon and gold while marching with Sun Devil pride. Starting time of the game will be decided about a week before the game and will determine the time for the parade and Block Party, which is four hours before kick-off.  

This year's parade grand marshal is the legendary Frank Kush, who served as ASU’s head football coach from 1958 to 1979. Kush was also the coach of the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1981, the National Football League’s Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts from 1982 to 1984, and the Arizona Outlaws of the United States Football League in 1985. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and has served as a fundraiser for ASU’s athletic department since 2000.

The parade will be followed by ASU’s Block Party, an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors to the university. The block party takes place at the Old Main lawn and extends throughout the campus. It will include 65 tents sponsored by nearly 80 ASU colleges and departments. It will feature live music, food, interactive displays and exhibitions, an autograph session featuring more than 150 Sun Devil athletes, a first-time ever student tailgate party and mixing and mingling by ASU grads, students, community members, faculty and staff.

Homecoming also offers special activities for children. The KidZone, just east of Palo Verde West Residence Hall off University Drive, is packed with fun and interactive displays. It will include bounce houses, dunk tank, video game truck, Club ASU’s post office and photo booth, carnival games and an entertainment stage. Eight, Arizona PBS’s Curious George also will make a special appearance and hand out balloons to children.

All of this activity culminates with ASU taking on the Colorado Buffalos in Sun Devil Stadium.

Tickets for the game can be purchased in person or by calling the Sun Devil Ticket Office at 480-727-0000.

Parking lots and structures in the northern portion of campus (north of University Drive) are open five hours prior to kick-off for prepaid season ticket parking passes, cash lots open three-and-a-half hours before kick-off. For more information on parking, visit http://cfo.asu.edu/pts-event-football or http://www.millavenue.com/transportation.

For details and a complete schedule of 2011 Homecoming events and activities, visit http://homecoming.asu.edu.

To stay connected to Homecoming events and news via social media, visit ASU's Facebook and Twitter by searching for #asuhomecoming.