IU alumnus and “The Bachelor” star Ben Higgins will serve as grand marshal of the women’s and men’s 2016 Little 500 races.
Higgins’ fiancée, Lauren Bushnell, who was a contestant on ABC’s reality show, will accompany Higgins to the April 15 and 16 races, according to an IU press release.
“There are not many life experiences that can encompass the commitment, tradition, cheer and camaraderie that the Little 500 fosters,” Higgins said in the release. “Indiana University and the Little 500 race have and will always be joyful experiences.”
Higgins, from Warsaw, Indiana, graduated from IU in 2012.
Having received his bachelor’s degree in public affairs with a management major from the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, he now works as an account manager for the financial services software firm, Talisys, according to the release.
As grand marshal of the women’s race, Higgins will present roses to each of the 33 women’s teams instead of the traditional handshake.
He will also be responsible for giving the official verbal start of the women’s race, according to the release.
Higgins will also greet each of the riders on the men’s teams leading up to their race and will ride in the pre-race parade.
Tara Vickers, director of the IU Student Foundation, said the Foundation is thrilled to welcome Higgins back to IU.
“Indiana’s ‘Perfect Ben’ is a role model for more than his fame and very good looks,” Vickers said. “While not every IU student will become a TV star, the IU Student Foundation hopes every student will follow Ben’s lead, incorporating philanthropic activity in his or her life beyond IU.”
This year’s races will mark the 29th running of the women’s Little 500 and the 66th running of the men’s Little 500, according to the release.
Both races will be at Bill Armstrong Stadium, with the women’s race beginning at 4 p.m. April 15 and the men’s race at 2 p.m. April 16.
Put on by the IU Student Foundation, the races consist of a field of 33 amateur undergraduate racers and are modeled after the Indianapolis 500.
Winners are displayed on a Little 500 version of the BorgWarner Trophy, displayed year-round in the Indiana Memorial Union.
The Little 500 races help fund scholarships for working IU students and play a part in providing professional development for students working off the track and behind the scenes of the race.
The IU Student Foundation has raised more than $2 million to fund such students, according to the release.
The Little 500 Qualifications begin 8 a.m. Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Qualifications allow all registered and eligible Little 500 teams three attempts to record their fastest four-lap time.
The fastest 33 women’s and men’s teams timed on Saturday will make up the 33-team starting grid for the April 15 and 16 races.
“I’m grateful to participate in the celebration and tradition once again,” Higgins said in the release. “Thank you for inviting me back home to IU.”
Carley Lanich
