Northwestern University Athletics
Autry, Fitzgerald Challenge NU Fans to Show Their Purple Pride
10/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 15, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. --For three years, former Northwestern running back Darnell Autry suited up in purple on Saturdays for the Wildcats. Now Darnell attends the games in his Wildcat fan gear as one of the biggest football fans. To show how much he loves the 'Cats, Autry accepted Coach Pat Fitzgerald's challenge to paint himself purple this season as part of Purplepalooza at Ryan Field on October 31.
Fitzgerald needs all of NU's biggest fans to help with this challenge by becoming a fan of the official Northwestern Athletics Facebook page. Autry and Fitzgerald have set a goal for Northwestern to reach 5,000 Facebook fans by October 30. If the goal is met, Autry will paint his body purple from head to toe for the Wildcats' football game against Penn State on Oct. 31.
"It isn't often that you find a former Heisman Trophy candidate who loves his alma mater so much that he is willing to do anything to get the fans excited about the games," said Tracie Hitz, associate athletic director. "Northwestern is a special place and Darnell's commitment to this Purplepalooza challenge is just another example of that."
Former teammates on the field, Autry and Fitzgerald have joined forces again to create a video and encourage NU fans to vote for Autry to paint himself purple.
"When we were playing together it was incredible to see the fans in the stands who painted themselves purple to cheer us on every game," Autry said. "Now that I'm a fan, Fitz challenged me to have that same purple pride for his teams, so of course I accepted the challenge."
If the 'Cats reach their goal of 5,000 Facebook fans, they are asking fans to paint themselves purple for this Halloween game to support Autry. Fans with the most purple at the game will win $100 cash or $100 in Wildcat Football tickets compliments of Harris Bank. It will be a fun-filled day for Harris Bank Day at Ryan Field beginning with trick or treating in the special pregame fan fest area, Wildcat Alleyween, and fireworks after the game sponsored by Harris Bank.
Fans can watch the video, then cast their vote by becoming a Facebook fan of the official Northwestern Athletics Facebook page. Becoming a Facebook fan is easy - simply visit the Northwestern Athletics Facebook page and click on the "Become a Fan" button near the top of the page.
Help spread purple pride across the web by forwarding the video link to friends. The fan who forwards the link to the most people will win a pair of stadium club tickets for the October 31 Penn State football game.
If you have any questions about Purplepalooza, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu. To purchase your tickets to the Wildcats' game against Penn State on October 31, please click here.
