Katie HofstetterAs a way to say “thank you” for coaching the university’s track and field athletes for the past 14 years, Terry Crawford has been selected as the grand marshal for this year’s Poly Royal Parade.
“We wanted to choose a grand marshal that was related to athletes in some way,” said Nicole Stivers, director of public relations for Cal Poly Open House. “It’s our way of honoring someone who has shown dedication and commitment to Cal Poly. Terry Crawford has done a lot for Cal Poly sports.”
“Cal Poly: Choice of Champions” is the theme for this year’s open house.
Crawford has coached many Cal Poly athletes who have become NCAA national champions or Olympians during her coaching years at Cal Poly.
“We were looking for people who were involved with the Olympics and Cal Poly,” said Allie O’Leary, director of events and entertainment for Cal Poly Open House. “Terry Crawford has coached many Olympians so we thought it was a perfect fit.”
The parade will begin Saturday, April 22, at 9 a.m., at the corners of Grand Avenue and Perimeter Road and will end at Perimeter Road and Via Carter at 10 a.m.
“Our grand marshal is always a female because our open house wants to include traditions from past years,” Stivers said. Years ago the rodeo queen led the parade, but “the rodeo queen doesn’t lead it anymore,” Stivers said. “We’re bringing in traditions of past years.”
“It is such a great honor for me to be named grand marshal of the parade,” Crawford said in a press release.
The three-day event begins Thursday, April 20, with clubs preview night at Farmer’s Market. Friday includes a preview day for admitted students to get acquainted with the campus and their departments, a university welcome and a Friday night invite. Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m., more than 200 clubs and concession booths will be set up around campus offering students an opportunity to learn more about what the campus has to offer, included booths are from fraternities, sororities, clubs and teams and many others. Also featured Saturday will be main-stage performances, the Kids’ Fair, campus-wide exhibits and demonstrations, events will begin at 10:30 a.m
For more information on the parade or any of the Cal Poly Open House events visit, www.openhouse.calpoly.edu.