Paul and Marge Roach Chosen as UW Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals

Former University of Wyoming football coach Paul Roach and his wife, Marge, are this year’s grand marshals for UW’s Homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 8.

“Once a Cowboy, Always a Cowboy” is the theme for Homecoming, with a variety of events scheduled Oct. 1-8. The football game Saturday, Oct. 8, is against Air Force at 1:30 p.m. The Pepsi Pregame Zone in the Indoor Practice Facility opens three hours before kickoff.

The Homecoming parade begins at 9:30 a.m., starting at Ninth and Ivinson streets. The UW Alumni Association (UWAA) and the WYO-Gold Student Alumni Association coordinate the parade.

Paul Roach was UW athletics director from 1987-1996 and head football coach during the 1987-1990 seasons; he is the only person in UW’s history to serve both roles. Roach was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, leading the Cowboys to three bowl games: the Holiday Bowl in 1987-88 and the Copper Bowl in 1990. He was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.

The Roaches are longtime Laramie residents and ambassadors for UW, the Laramie community and the state.

“The UWAA is honored to have them participate in the Homecoming parade,” says Emily Cain, UWAA special events coordinator.

Persons or groups wishing to participate in the Homecoming parade must fill out an application and return it to the UWAA at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center by Friday, Sept. 30.

Besides the annual Homecoming parade, a variety of activities have been arranged on campus for students, alumni, fans, staff, faculty and the Laramie community. Activities range from student competitions to department open house celebrations, tailgate parties and the new “All Alumni and Friends Reunion with Pep Rally.”

Homecoming registration begins Friday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 8, from 8-11:30 a.m. in the Blalock Family Room of the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Preregistered alumni and friends can pick up their 2016 Homecoming gift bags at that time, Cain says.

“Gift bags will be based on availability the day of for those who do not preregister,” she says.

The gift bags are $10 per person, with preregistration open until Tuesday, Oct. 4, at http://wyoalumni.uwyo.edu/hc2016. Also available at registration are the Homecoming events schedule booklet and the University Store discount coupon for UW graduates. Alumni can update their contact information at that time.

The “All Alumni and Friends Reunion with Pep Rally” is Friday, Oct. 7, from 5-8 p.m. at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. The pep rally begins at 7 p.m. Preregistration is encouraged for this event. Cost is $10 per person, and includes two drink tickets and light snacks. Online registration closes Oct. 4 at http://wyoalumni.uwyo.edu/hc2016.

Participants can pay the day of the event after the registration deadline closes, Cain says. She adds that alumni can pick up drink tickets the night of the event at the registration table. Parking is available in the Ford Stadium Lot outside the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

The UWAA will celebrate the 50th Club Reunion Oct. 6-8. The reunion honors the class of 1966; all UW alumni who have graduated also are invited to participate. Registration is open through Monday, Sept. 19, at http://wyoalumni.uwyo.edu/50ClubReunion, or email Cain at ecain1@uwyo.edu for a registration packet.

The UWAA will honor the 2016 Distinguished Alumni recipients: James E. Nielson, Sandra L. Postel and Theo Ratliff, along with the 2016 Medallion Service Award Recipient Dave Bonner. For more information about the awards, visit www.uwyo.edu/alumni.

For more information about all Homecoming events, a current Homecoming schedule or parade application, visit www.uwyo.edu/homecoming.

Fans are urged to hashtag photos throughout Homecoming week with #AlwaysACowboy.