Huntington, WV (WOAY) – A familiar voice will serve as grand marshal for Marshall University’s 2025 Homecoming activities.
According to a press release from The Marshall University Foundation and Alumni Association, Jim Thorton, voice of “Wheel of Fortune,” will serve as the grand marshal for Homecoming Week from Oct. 13 to Oct. 18.
“We are proud to recognize Jim Thornton as this year’s grand marshal,” said Walker Tatum, director of alumni engagement and co-chair of the Homecoming planning committee. “Jim’s passion and respect for Marshall speaks volumes. Though his career has taken him across the country and onto one of the biggest stages in television, he never lost sight of his Huntington roots or his deep connection to Marshall. We’re excited to celebrate his achievements throughout Homecoming week.”
As grand marshal, Thornton will have a front row seat as he leads the Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. The parade is set to make its way down Fourth Avenue in Huntington before ending on Harless Field for the annual bonfire.
The theme for this year’s Homecoming, “Wheel of Thunder,” is a nod to Thornton’s work on “Wheel of Fortune” and its spinoff series “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
“I’m so honored to be this year’s grand marshal,” Thornton said. “I love Huntington, and I love Marshall; both are part of my DNA and my core being. I’m glad that I’m able to represent our town and score one for the home team with the work that I do.”
Jim Thornton grew up on Huntington’s historic Southside. After graduating from Huntington High School, Thornton was drawn from an early age to the performing arts, attending the Marshall Artists Series at the Keith-Albee Theatre and singing at his church, Johnson Memorial United Methodist.
At age 19, Thornton relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in broadcasting and voice work. He was hired as a traffic reporter for KNX 1070 Newsradio in 1985, later becoming the afternoon drive news co-anchor in 2005. In 1989, he hosted a morning show on Magic 94.3 FM, and from 1995 to 1999 he was the booth announcer for KCOP-TV.
Thornton’s career took an exciting turn in 2004 when he voiced episodes of “The Price Is Right,” and in 2011, he was hired as the announcer of the iconic game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
“If it had lasted one day, it would have fulfilled a lifelong dream for me.’ And now, that dream has become 14 years,” Thornton said.
Though he garnered much success far from West Virginia, Thornton expressed his appreciation for his upbringing in the Mountain State and all that it taught him.
“If you grew up as far away from Hollywood as I did, you never, or you shouldn’t, lose reverence for it,” Thornton said. “It’s always going to hold a fascination with me.”
In addition to the Homecoming parade, Thornton will participate other events on campus leading up to the Homecoming football game against Texas State University on Saturday, Oct. 18. Other highlights of Homecoming week include the Unity Walk on Monday, Oct. 13, and the Marshall University Alumni Association and Marshall University Black Alumni’s tailgate, presented by Woodlands Retirement Community, on Oct. 18.
