J.A. Adande will be the grand marshal for Northwestern’s 2012 Homecoming Parade at the end of the month.

Adande (BSJ ’92), a sports columnist who covers professional basketball for ESPN, will lead and speak during the parade, which is scheduled for Oct. 26.

He said receiving this opportunity from a school with so many notable alumni is a “great honor.”

Adande, whose birthday is the day before the parade, also said he is excited to be going back at NU and catching up with old friends.

“I’m looking forward to everything,” he said. “Seeing the changes on campus, seeing the enthusiasm on campus, there’s so much more school spirit now than there was when I was there, and to be able to be a part of that.”

— Paulina Firozi