Alumnus drives Duck vehicle for Sox parade

Red Sox infielder Mike Napoli (right) pulls on the beard of Paul Lurie '04, who drove the Duck Tour vehicle carrying Napoli and other Red Sox players during the World Series victory parade through Boston on November 2, 2013. (Courtesy Photo)

Paul Lurie ’04 got the job assignment of a lifetime November 2—driving one of the Duck Tour vehicles that ferried around the 2013 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox, to the jubilation of millions.

“It was surreal,” said Lurie, who lives in Dedham, Massachusetts, with his wife, Lindy, who is pregnant with their first child. “The whole parade was so loud. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up to root on their favorite team.”

Lurie’s given more Duck Tours than he can count, but the Red Sox parade was his first.

“I’m a big Sox fan,” he said. “This is the first time I’ve been in Boston to see them win it all, and I am so happy I ended up driving in the parade.”

The scene outside Emerson College on November 2, 2013, as Boston celebrated the 2013 World Series victory of the Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Maya Rafie '17)

Lurie lived in California from 2004 to 2008 after attending the Emerson Los Angeles Program in the Spring 2004 semester.

“I missed out on both World Series victories,” he said.

Lurie began working for Duck Tours in 2008, first in a customer service position before becoming a driver because they “have all the fun.”

Lurie’s favorite moment from the parade was when the players placed their World Series trophies on the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Boylston Street, the site of two bombings last April.

“It was the most meaningful,” he said, “especially since Jonny Gomes was carrying the Boston Strong 617 jersey on my Duck.”

His second favorite moment: “When Mike Napoli pulled on my beard.”

Emerson students cheering during the Red Sox victory parade. (Photo by Maya Rafie '17)

Lurie said he was chosen by Duck Tours to work the parade due to a variety of factors, including “good, old-fashioned begging.”

In addition to being well spoken and knowing an immense amount of Boston history, Duck Tour operators have to be properly licensed to drive large trucks as well as boats. The vehicle is a WWII–style amphibious landing vehicle, which is driven both on city streets and in water, locally on the Charles River, during tours.

A Duck Tour vehicle in the Red Sox victory parade on Boylston Street on November 2, 2013. (Photo by Maya Rafie '17)

“It’s a really unique and challenging job,” he said.

Just like the parade route, the tours typically pass right by Emerson College’s campus on Boylston Street.

“You meet all sorts of people every day, and I point out my sophomore–year dorm room in the Little Building on every tour,” Lurie said.