Thundering Herd fans get double dose of good news for Marshall football
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (BVM) — This week marked quite the week for Marshall University football fans. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the university released the Thundering Herd’s full schedule which includes six home games over a 10-game season. The university also announced that fans would be allowed to attend university home games, though safety procedures and measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 would need to be followed.
“We are thrilled to be able to have our loyal and passionate fan base in attendance for our six home football games in 2020,” said Mike Hamrick, Marshall’s Director of Athletics in a press release. “We worked diligently and deliberately to create a plan that will allow us to proceed safely and take care of our season ticket-holders, students, staff and visitors. … We will proceed safely, methodically and we look forward to an exciting 2020 season.”
Safety measures include limiting the capacity of Joan C. Edwards Stadium to season ticket holders, students, players’ families and visiting fans, with the possibility of limited single-game tickets available, masks and face coverings must be worn at all times within the stadium, no re-entry into the stadium will be permitted and no tailgating will be allowed. Social distancing protocols in the stands will also be enforced such as no groups larger than six tickets in one area while seated in the stands, the rows in front and behind a group will remain empty and while seated in the stands the two seats to the left and two seats to the right of a group will remain empty.
There will be some other notable differences for Thundering Herd fans as well this season. Season ticket holders may have new seats to adhere to social distancing protocols and students will be admitted into the student gate on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additionally, game tickets will be sent out digitally (on cell phones) and will be sent to season ticket holders via email on their phones five days prior to gameday. Cell phone tickets will be scanned at the entrance of the gate closest to the assigned seating area of the ticket holder and paper tickets will only be issued in an emergency situation.
While the news that there will be fans in the stadium was big for Herd fans, it was not the only good news the team’s faithful received. On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Marshall football team announced via its Twitter page that the team’s Sept. 5 home opener against Eastern Kentucky University was picked up by ESPN making it a nationally televised matchup.
“It’s always a huge positive to get your program out there to a national audience,” head coach Doc Holliday said in a press release. “Our players are eager to get this season started and are happy to be able to do it in front of our wonderful fanbase.”
BIG NEWS! The @HerdZone-EKU game has been picked up by ESPN! Kick time will be 1 p.m. ET. #WeAreMarshall #RiseAsOne pic.twitter.com/buwsVoHu7p
— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) August 26, 2020
The news only adds to the excitement for the Herd’s 2020 iteration. Conference USA named five Thundering Herd members to its preseason all-conference list including running back Brenden Knox who was named the C-USA preseason most valuable player. Knox, who earned the MVP award last season, rushed for a conference-high 1,387 yards and 11 touchdowns on 270 carries for Marshall as a sophomore and will be looking to build on his previous success.
While the team prepares for its national season debut, Herd fans will be looking forward to entering Joan C. Edwards Stadium again albeit in smaller numbers. With fans in the stands and eyes across the nation on them, the Thundering Herd will try to build on a successful campaign last season.
