10/1/2004

Contact: Sarah Lathrop, (785) 226-1056

Olympian Charlie Gruber to be KU's 2004 Homecoming grand marshal

LAWRENCE -- University of Kansas graduate and 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member Charlie Gruber will be the grand marshal for KU's homecoming week, Oct. 2-9, the Homecoming Steering Committee has announced.

Gruber competed in the 1,500-meter run at the summer 2004 Olympics in Athens. He placed ninth, just short of being eligible for the finals, with a time of 3:41. Gruber, who lives in Lawrence, graduated from the KU School of Business in 2002 and completed his master's in business in 2004.

"We are honored that Charlie Gruber will be our grand marshal after representing the United States and KU in the Olympic Games," said Chris Kaufman, homecoming co-director. "We in turn want to honor him for his accomplishments."

The homecoming parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, on Jayhawk Boulevard.

For a complete schedule, visit http://www.homecoming.ku.edu. Here is a selected schedule; all events are free unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, Oct. 2
-- Spirit Sprint 5K Run/Walk: 9 a.m. Burge Union. Registration $15 at race.
-- "Jayhawk Idol" auditions: 1 p.m. Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union

Sunday, Oct. 3
-- Day of Caring : Noon-5 p.m., community service projects
-- Spirit Sing auditions: 1 p.m., Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union

Monday, Oct. 4
-- Homecoming murals on display, Strong Hall rotunda
-- "Jayhawk Idol" finalists perform: 12:20 p.m. Wescoe Beach

Tuesday, Oct. 5
-- Jayhawk 'Can'struction: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wescoe Beach
-- "Jayhawk Idol" finalists perform: 12:20 p.m. Wescoe Beach
-- Bill Cosby: Doors open at 6:30, show at 8 p.m. Allen Fieldhouse. General admission tickets cost $15 and $25; call 864-3141 or visit http://www.kuathletics.com

Wednesday, Oct. 6
-- Chalk n' Rock: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wescoe Beach
-- "Jayhawk Idol" finalists perform: 12:20 p.m. Wescoe Beach
-- Bill Rancic ("The Apprentice"), "Lessons From the Board Room": 8 p.m. Kansas Union Ballroom

Thursday, Oct. 7
-- 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament: 4 p.m. Student Recreation Center outside courts
-- Block Party: 6 p.m. South Park, 11th and Massachusetts streets
-- Spirit Sing finals: 6:30 p.m., Block Party

Friday, Oct. 8
-- Homecoming Concert: KU Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Lied Center ; tickets $5 and $7; call (785) 864-2787
-- Homecoming Dance: 9-11 p.m. Adams Alumni Center

Saturday, Oct. 9
-- Pancake Feed: 8-11 a.m. Stauffer-Flint lawn. $4
-- Parade: 11 a.m. Jayhawk Boulevard
-- Football game: KU vs. Kansas State, 6:20 p.m., Memorial Stadium.