Longtime Educator, Northport Alum To Lead Homecoming Parade

NORTHPORT, NY — Dr. James Ruck, a longtime educator and Northport High School alumnus, has been named grand marshal of the school's 2026 Homecoming Parade, the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District said.

Now in its third year, the parade brings together students, alumni, families, staff and residents to celebrate the district and its traditions. This year's theme, "America 250," will include floats, school spirit and performances by student groups.

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Ruck, a member of Northport High School's Class of 1962, has longstanding ties to the district as a student, educator, parent and grandparent.

He began his career in Northport-East Northport in 1968 as a social worker and biology teacher. From 1976 to 1978, he served as an assistant principal and district junior high science chairperson at Northport Junior High School.

Ruck returned to Northport High School in 2005, serving as interim secondary science chairman and interim assistant principal. His education career also included serving as superintendent of Sachem Central Schools and as principal of several Long Island high schools.

"It is indeed a very special honor to have been selected to be the grand marshal of the 2026 Northport High School Homecoming Parade," Ruck said. "Like all other Northport High School graduates, my family and I take great pride in the education provided to students in the Northport-East Northport School District. I know from personal experience how much it means to celebrate a Northport High School homecoming for all the Northport graduates."

Ruck has remained involved in the community, serving on the Northport-East Northport High School Athletic Hall of Fame Board of Directors and as the organization's president. He also volunteers with the Northport Ecumenical Lay Council Food Pantry.

"We are so honored for Dr. Ruck to kick off our Homecoming Parade as the homecoming grand marshal," Northport High School Principal Robert Dennis said. "An avid supporter of the Northport-East Northport School District, Dr. Ruck has been a cornerstone of the community for decades – as a student, a proud alumnus, an educator, a member of the Northport-East Northport Athletic Hall of Fame, as a parent and as a grandparent."

As a student, Ruck was captain of the football and basketball teams, a member of the marching band, class vice president and a member of the National Honor Society, Dennis said.

"Dr. Ruck embodies Tiger spirit and shows his stripes as a champion for our school community," Dennis said. "As grand marshal, Dr. Ruck will lead this year's Homecoming Parade as the Northport-East Northport community comes together to celebrate its schools, students, alumni and the traditions that connect generations of Tigers."

The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11:30 a.m. It will begin at the south lot on Elwood Road and end at Tiger Stadium on Laurel Hill Road.

The district invited community members to line the parade route and join the homecoming celebration.