Northwestern University Athletics
Purplepalooza a Hit With Purple Pride Guy Darnell Autry!
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Thanks to the incredible support from Wildcat fans last week, a former Heisman trophy finalist was painted purple from head-to-toe before the NU football game against No. 12 Penn State on Halloween. 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 October 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. Because Sybesma was unable to attend the game, NU student and varsity diver, Carlin Dacey was the next fan in line on the Facebook page to do the honors. Dacey and her teammates grabbed the paint and headed to Wildcat Alleyween to turn Autry purple.
"Darnell has been a great sport throughout this whole challenge," said Tracie Hitz, associate athletic director for sales and marketing. "It was pretty cold at the game, but Darnell followed through with goosebumps and all."
 These teletubbies were spotted tailgating and enjoying the jumbotron in the North Beach Lot.  |
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At halftime, Autry gave away $1,000 in cash and $1,200 in Wildcat Football tickets for the game against Wisconsin at Ryan Field on November 21. The NU-Wisconsin game is the last time NU fans can catch the 'Cats home this season so purchase your tickets for only $35 today.
For pregame tailgating, Wildcat fans can park at no cost in the North Beach Parking Lot which will feature a jumbotron that will play College Gameday in the morning and the biggest college football games in the afternoon. For more information about Wildcat Tailgating, e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
Since the Purplepalooza challenge ended, an additional 1,000 fans have joined the Northwestern Athletics Facebook page, so please continue to join so you can keep up on all of the latest Wildcat events, promotions, giveaways, contests and ticket discounts.
