The Mayor is back in town.

Fred Hoiberg, ISU and Ames High School graduate, will be grand marshal of the Veishea parade this year.

As grand marshal, Hoiberg will head the parade riding in a dignitary car, said Quinn Showalter, parade co-chair. He also will choose the best traditional float, which will receive the grand marshal award during closing ceremonies Sunday afternoon.

“Each year we contact a lot of different people and try to pick someone a lot of alumni would recognize,” said Showalter, junior in agricultural studies. “When [Fred] said he could come, we decided to make him the grand marshal of the parade.”

Hoiberg plays basketball with the Chicago Bulls for former ISU coach Tim Floyd. He earned the nickname “the Mayor” while he was a member of the ISU men’s basketball team.

Elections for mayor were being held, and he got a lot of write-in votes, said Michael Kremer, parade co-chair.

Showalter said this is the first time Hoiberg has been back to Veishea since he graduated in the mid-’90s, and he is excited to have Hoiberg back as grand marshal.

“He has his roots in Ames and ISU,” Showalter said. “He married his high school sweetheart and has a work ethic that can be admired. His dad works for the university, and his mom is an elementary school teacher in Ames. This is a perfect family to show the theme of creating Cyclone unity.”

At the beginning of the year, the committee tossed out possible names for dignitaries and Hoiberg’s name was mentioned, said Kremer, junior in marketing.

“It is great to have him come back and give back to Iowa State and Ames,” he said. “Having him come back means he thinks back to where he started and what Veishea really means. A lot of people have turned away from the true meaning of Veishea about celebrating the university, and Fred is a great representative of Veishea and what it really stands for.”

Showalter said the committee was excited to get Hoiberg in the parade because of his connection with Iowa State, and the name recognition he has around Ames with both alumni, current students and Ames residents.

“Fred is pretty much an Ames hometown hero, [and] he helped the Ames High School and Iowa State basketball teams,” Showalter said. “He’s a favorite around here, and people haven’t forgotten him.”