Cookeville Caravan draws tremendous crowd, lots of enthusiasm

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- And then there was one. The Purple Pride Caravan has just one stop remaining, next Tuesday in Algood, and if Thursday's turnout at the Cookeville Wal-Mart is any indication, it should be a heck of a finish.

One of the largest turnouts ever at a Purple Pride Caravan was greeted by plenty of enthusiasm from visitors who got the chance to meet loads of Tech athletics personnel, including head coaches Watson Brown and Jim Davis, several assistant coaches, and watch performances by the cheer and dance teams. 

Tech supporters were treated to games, free hotdogs and Pepsi products, and register for prizes with three drawing winners. One fan was also selected for the chance to win a trip for two with the Golden Eagle football team to its game Sept. 15 at the University of Oregon.

The winner of the Oregon trip will be determined Tuesday in Algood.

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 Cookeville Purple Pride Caravan:

Brandon Hunter (center) shows off the shirt he won in Thursday's second drawing. He's joined by, from left, Kanaja Murray, assistant coach Allison Clark, Eric Mick of Pepsi, Mariah Dean, Lee Wray of Magic 98.5, and T'Keyah Williams.

Drawing winners Micah, Ty and Ian Robson with a Tech baseball game jersey. Joining them, from left, are assistant coach Cody Church, Lee Wray of Magic 98.5, assistant baseball coach Brandon Turner, football coach Watson Brown, women's basketball coach Jim Davis, and Michelle Smith of Pepsi.

Little Jordyn Simmons is almost lost behind the football jersey she won Thursday in a drawing at the Purple Pride Caravan. With Jordyn are, from left, Tia Eller and Rae Rae Magic 98.5, head football coach Watson Brown, and Kevin Thompson from Pepsi.

Photos by Erin Bean and Mike Lehman