Purple Pride Caravan finds new fans in Carthage

CARTHAGE, Tenn. -- Dick Fulton stopped by Thursday at the Purple Pride Caravan during its stop at the Carthage Wal-Mart. A member of the Tennessee Tech's 1972 Ohio Valley Conference football championship team, it was his first experience at a Purple Pride Caravan, and a great chance to visit with some Tennessee Tech coach's and staff.

Fulton owns the school record for the longest play in history with a 100-yard kickoff return against East Tennessee in 1971.

The former Golden Eagle runningback was one of many people from Smith County who visited the purple tents near the Wal-Mart entrance, including many new Tech fans. They all took the opportunity to enjoy a free hot dog and Pepsi, register for free prizes, pick up a Golden Eagle poster and register for a chance to win a trip with the football team to Oregon.

Softball coach Tory Acheson and soccer coach Daniel Brizard, along with TTU president Philip Oldham, were among the TTU staff on hand to greet visitors, along with representatives from  Pepsi and Cookeville Communications.

Three lucky fans won drawings and received game jerseys or caps, and one person qualified for the drawing to win a trip for two to the Tech-Oregon football game in the Golden Eagle Flyaway, sponsored by Magic 98.5 FM.

Following its stop in Carthage Thursday, the Purple Pride Caravan will also visit Crossville, Livingston, McMinnville, Sparta and Cookeville before wrapping up at the Algood Wal-Mart on Aug. 28, just two days before the Golden Eagle season opener in Tucker Stadium on Aug. 30.

For additional information on the caravan or to purchase season tickets for the upcoming football season, call (931) 372-3940.

The 2012 Purple Pride Caravan schedule and locations:
-Thursday July 12th - Jamestown Wal-Mart
-Thursday July 19th - Smithville Wal-Mart
-Thursday July 26th - Carthage Wal-Mart
-Thursday Aug. 2nd - Crossville Wal-Mart
-Tuesday Aug. 7th - Livingston Jerry’s IGA
-Thursday Aug. 9th - McMinnville Wal-Mart
-Thursday Aug. 16th - Sparta Wal-Mart
-Thursday Aug.23rd - Cookeville Wal-Mart
-Tuesday Aug. 28th - Algood Wal-Mart

Some snapshots from the Smithville Purple Pride Caravan:

Dick Fulton shows his 1972 OVC Championship ring at the Carthage Purple Pride Caravan.

President Oldham has been to all three Purple Pride Caravans in his first month on the job.

Macy Woodard (front) won a Tech shirt. She's joined by TTU soccer coach Daniel Brizard, Kevin Thompson of Pepsi and Zack Ledbetter of Magic 98.5.

Brian and Paige Smith of Carthage showed off their Tech Pride.

The winner of a drawing for a TTU baseball cap was Leia woodard (center). He's joined by, from left Kevin Thompson and Tom Johnson of Pepsi, TTU softball coach Tory Acheson, Awesome Eagle and Zack Ledbetter from 98.5.

Paige Smith of Carthage won the Golden Eagle game jersey. She's shown with Michelle Smoth of Pepsi, Leveda Birdwell of TTU Athletics and Lee Wray of 98.5.

Photos by Rob Schabert