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  • October 2, 2026
  • Sean Doherty

Verne Metcalf to Lead Northwestern Homecoming Parade in Alva

Verne Metcalf (right), 2026 Northwestern homecoming parade marshal, and his wife, Gloria (left), smile in matching red “Red, White and Rowdy” 2026 Homecoming T-shirts in front of a stone fireplace at the Homestead in Alva, Oklahoma
Verne Metcalf (right), 2026 Northwestern Oklahoma State University homecoming parade marshal, poses with his wife, Gloria (left), at the Homestead in Alva, where the Alva Rotary Club meets. Metcalf is a past president of the club.

ALVA, Okla. — Verne Metcalf is the 2026 Northwestern Oklahoma State University homecoming parade marshal. He will lead the “Red, White & Rowdy” parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, on the downtown square in Alva, Oklahoma.

Metcalf is a longtime Alva business owner and Northwestern supporter.

Homecoming Parade Event Details

  • Event: “Red, White & Rowdy” 2026 Northwestern Oklahoma State University homecoming parade
  • Parade marshal: Verne Metcalf
  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
  • Time: 10 a.m.
  • Location: Downtown square, Alva, Oklahoma
  • Marshal reception: Alumni Tent, before the parade starts

Early Life, Education and Family

Metcalf was born Nov. 11, 1947, in Jet, Oklahoma, and grew up on a farm between Jet and Cherokee. He graduated from Jet High School in 1966.

He attended Oklahoma State University for about two and a half years, then transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where he earned a pharmacy degree in 1972.

He met his wife, Gloria, at Oklahoma State, and the couple married in 1969. They have two daughters, Kristen Hightower and Andrea Metcalf. Kristen, who is married to Justin, has two children, Emery and Mason Albiar.

Alva Business Career and Rotary Leadership

After working a couple of years, Metcalf and a partner bought Schuhmacher Drug Store in Alva when it came up for sale. They took over the store Aug. 1, 1975, and Metcalf later bought out his partner.

The pharmacy closed in 1994. The gift store and J.C. Penney catalog store, both run by his wife, stayed open. Metcalf went on to work as a pharmacist for Walmart for six years and then for Holder Drug for about 12 years.

Metcalf is a past president of the Alva Rotary Club.

Connection to Northwestern and Ranger Athletics

Verne Metcalf (right), in a red cap and red sweatshirt, and Kira Bass (left), in a gray Great American Conference champions T-shirt, laugh together outdoors at Lady Ranger Day
Verne Metcalf (right), 2026 Northwestern Oklahoma State University homecoming parade marshal, shares a laugh with All-American Lady Rangers basketball player Kira Bass (left) at Lady Ranger Day on April 6. Bass was the unanimous Great American Conference player of the year and the conference tournament’s most valuable player last season.

Metcalf’s connection to Northwestern started long before he moved to Alva.

“I was sports oriented, and I grew up between Jet and Cherokee, so we came over here to Northwestern games when we were kids,” Metcalf said.

After moving to Alva, Metcalf got involved with the university.

“I really loved the kids,” he said. “I just love kids anyway, and I just fell in love with the Northwestern students because I just think it’s really a good deal that they come here. I like the people that run Northwestern, and I think they’re doing a wonderful job.”

The Metcalfs are mainstays in the crowd at Ranger Athletics games, from Percefull Fieldhouse to Ranger Field. Metcalf said one of his favorite memories was watching the Lady Rangers basketball team bring home the Great American Conference championship last season.

Verne Metcalf Family Track and Alfalfa County Scholarship

Northwestern dedicated the Verne Metcalf Family Track on Feb. 21, 2024. The track, built for the Ranger men’s and women’s track and field teams, is located by the Ranger Soccer Field on Thunderbird Road.

The Metcalfs also established the Alfalfa County Scholarship at Northwestern for continuing students from Alfalfa County in any major.

Metcalf on Being Named Parade Marshal

“I just fell in love with the university and the kids. It was that easy,” Metcalf said. On being named parade marshal, he said, “I’m still very honored. I couldn’t believe it.”

A reception for Metcalf will take place at the Alumni Tent before the parade starts.

More Northwestern Homecoming Information

For up-to-date information on Northwestern Homecoming activities, visit the Northwestern Homecoming page.

-NW-

Media Contact

Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: 580-327-8480

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