Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories previewing Pat's Run, which will be held Saturday morning in honor of Pat Tillman. Coming Thursday: Former ASU fullback Ryan Wood, vice president of sales of Under Armour, talks about how Tillman impacted his life.
Chances are that if ASU football coach Dirk Koetter participates in Pat's Run on Saturday morning, he'll be wearing a wig, a fake mustache and sunglasses.
"If I do, I'll be running incognito," Koetter said. "I don't think I could make it. It would be a last-minute decision. I would have to wake up feeling awfully good that morning."
Koetter gets a free pass from Pat's Run, a 4.2-mile race that's being held in honor of Pat Tillman. His team's annual spring game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.
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About 40 ASU football players will help man the finish line at Pat's Run as part of a community service project. Some assistant coaches are expected to participate in the race. Koetter declined to reveal their names.
"Luckily they're having a huge crowd, so our fat coaches that are running will blend in and no one will be laughing at them," Koetter said.
Former ASU lineman Grey Ruegamer, who plays center for the Green Bay Packers, will attend Pat's Run with his wife, Laurie, the volunteer coordinator of the charity event.
PAT'S RUN
WHEN: 8 a.m. Saturday.
WHERE: The race starts along Packard Drive, near Rio Salado Parkway. It ends at the 42-yard line inside Sun Devil Stadium.
PARKING: Limited free parking is available in Structure 7, Lot 59 and on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Rio Salado Parkway. Participants are encouraged to carpool, walk or bike to the start line.
REGISTRATION: Available for $25 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday at the Carson Student-Athlete Center. The walk-up entry fee is $30 on race day.
MORE INFO: Visit www.patsrun.com or call race director Perry Edinger at (602) 315-9153.
Ruegamer said more than a handful of players from the 1996 Rose Bowl team are expected to be in attendance. Notables include Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, San Francisco 49ers tight end Steve Bush, former NFL wide receiver Keith Poole and lineman Albrey Battle, who plays for the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League.
Former ASU football coach Bruce Snyder, who served as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Nevada-Las Vegas last season, is rumored to be attending Pat's Run, along with several other former assistants.
"I can't think of anybody who knew Pat who isn't going to be there," said Ruegamer, who played with Tillman for three years at ASU. "This race is bringing people together for a good purpose."
Race director Perry Edinger said he finds it hard to believe it has been almost a year since Tillman's death. He perceives Pat's Run as part of the grieving process.
"It will give people a chance to talk about him," said Edinger, who served as ASU's head athletic trainer for 14 years. "I think that's what people need."
Ruegamer said he keeps a No. 40 sticker in his Packers locker as a constant reminder of the good qualities Tillman brought to the table.
"Pat was one of the most trustworthy guys you ever had," Ruegamer said. "You knew what he was going to give you. You always knew where you stood because if he didn't like what you said, he would tell you."
Senior wide receiver Derek Hagan insists that Tillman remains a presence in ASU's football program.
"We always hear his name," Hagan said. "We've also got his picture up in our locker room, knowing that he's one of the great Sun Devils. He just worked really hard. He did what he could to get better and he made a lot of other people better."
Reach the reporter at brian.gomez@asu.edu.
