There is no better way to fit this year’s Homecoming theme –“EIU Homecoming 2006 Tunes into Classic TV Land Flicks” — than having Jerry Van Dyke as this year’s grand marshal.

Van Dyke is best known for his role as Assistant Coach Luther Horatio Van Dam on the 90s sitcom “Coach.”

Van Dyke has also appeared in “Yes, Dear,” The Drew Carey Show,” “Mary Tyler Moore,” “Fantasy Island,” and “The Andy Griffith Show,” among others.

For Van Dyke, a Danville native, it is a bit of a reunion.

“I love this time of year in the Midwest,” Van Dyke said. “It’s really beautiful.”

Van Dyke attended EIU for three months in the early 50s, but left for the Air Force in 1952.

Van Dyke said the older one gets, the more he remembers his youth. He remembers his time at Eastern and “I sure had a good time,” he said.

Van Dyke will be quite busy during his time here, visiting the drama club on Friday and attending the parade, the football game, and a cocktail party on Saturday.

He did say, however, that he would have time to catch up with a few old friends that he went to school with, one of which he will meet up with at the Homecoming celebrations.

Van Dyke will also accept one of Eastern’s Distinguished Alumnus awards along with being the Homecoming grand marshal.

Adding to the week’s flashback theme is master of ceremonies Dennis Haskins, best known for his role as Mr. Belding in the 80s sitcom “Saved By the Bell.”

Activities will include a trivia contest, video presentation, giveaways and an autograph session with Haskins.

Tonight’s ceremonies will begin at 8 p.m. with a pep rally for Eastern’s football team inside Lantz Area.

Saturday’s events begin bright and early with Charleston Rotary Club providing its seventh annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m. in the Domino’s Pizza parking lot on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Seventh Street. Tickets are $5 for students and $3 for children under 12.

Before the parade there will be a 2.5K race that will follow the traditional Homecoming parade route – the corner of Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue to the corner of Sixth Street. The annual parade is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.

The Homecoming football game kicks-off at 1:30 p.m. and is free for Eastern students as long as they have their Panther card.