Marshall Thundering Herd football
Encyclopedia
The Marshall Thundering Herd football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Marshall University
. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA
Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision level.
Marshall plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium
, which seats 38,019 and is expandable to 55,000. Marshall has an impressive 118-19 overall record at Joan C. Edwards stadium for a winning percentage of .866. The University of Alabama
ranks second with an .825 winning percentage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The stadium opened in 1991 as Marshall University Stadium with a crowd of 33,116 for a 24-23 win over New Hampshire. On September 10, 2010, the Thundering Herd played the in-state rival West Virginia Mountaineers
in Huntington in front of a record crowd of 41,382. Edwards Stadium is the only Division I stadium named solely for a woman, and Mrs. Edwards
husband, James F. Edwards
, has his name on the actual playing field. South Carolina's Williams-Brice Stadium
is named in part for a woman.
Marshall is also known for being victims of a tragic plane crash on November 14, 1970, where all 75 passengers, including 37 members of the Marshall football team were killed. In the wake of the crash, Marshall was given special permission by the NCAA to play incoming freshmen at the varsity level for the 1971 season. Marshall spent a full decade recovering from the crash, and was the nation's worst football program in the 1970s, and did not have another winning season until 1984. Including the year of the crash, Marshall was 23-83 from 1970–79, changing head coaches four times during that period.
Marshall had a winless streak of 0-26-1 from 1965–1969, and began Southern Conference play in 1977 with the exact record through 1981, 0-26-1. Marshall tied Western Carolina on a 59-yard field goal by freshman Barry Childers in 1980, still a NCAA freshman record, and finally broke through with a 17-10 win at Appalachian State in November 1981. Marshall's first winning season since 1964 came in 1984 under first-year head coach Stan Parrish
, clinched with a 31-28 win over East Tennessee State in the Bucs' "Mini Dome".
is best known as the former head football coach of the Marshall University Thundering Herd for nine seasons from 1996 to 2004. During his tenure at Marshall, the Thundering Herd compiled a record of 94-23 (.803 winning percentage), featured two undefeated seasons, won six conference championships, won 5 of 7 bowl games, and captured the I-AA National Championship in 1996. MU moved to Division I-A and the Mid-American Conference
in 1997. Marshall won the MAC title five of its eight seasons (1997-98-99-2000-2002) and were runners up in 2001 in the conference before moving to Conference USA
in 2005. Since moving to Division I-A, Marshall has finished in the Top 25 three times: 1999 (10th AP/10th coaches' poll), 2001 (21st coaches poll), 2002 (24th AP/19th coaches poll). Marshall fell to Ole Miss
in the 1997 Motor City Bowl
, 34-31, but won the next three games in Michigan's Pontiac Silverdome
, beating Louisville
48-29 in 1998, beating No. 25 BYU
21-3 in 1999 to finish 13-0 and beating Cincinnati
in 2000, 25-14. Marshall and East Carolina
matched-up in one of college football's greatest bowl games in 2001 at the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama
, a 64-61 double overtime win by the Herd over the Pirates of Conference USA. It is the highest scoring bowl game of all-time, and MU rallied from an 38-8 halftime hole behind Byron Leftwich
's five touchdown passes. Marshall would fall to the Bearcats in the 2004 Plains Capital Fort Worth Bowl at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium
, 32-14, in Bob Pruett's final game as head coach.
Former Thundering Herd defensive back and Ohio State defensive coordinator Mark Snyder
resigned as head coach at the end of the 2009 regular season. He was 22-37 through his five seasons, failing to rebuild the program after NCAA sanctions limited scholarships. Marshall has been at the full 85 scholarships since 2008 for the first time in five seasons. In Snyder's final season, he led the Thundering Herd to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Assistant coach Rick Minter
was named interim coach for the bowl game in which they defeated the Ohio Bobcats
21-17.
On Saturday November 28, 2009 the Herd suffered an embarrassing 52-21 loss to UTEP at the Sun Bowl Stadium
in El Paso, Texas
, thus finishing the season 6-6. On Sunday November 29, 2009 it was announced that Snyder had resigned as head football coach.
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The November 14, 1970, plane crash that killed all 75 passengers on board, including 37 members of the Thundering Herd football team, is well documented. The event and its aftermath were depicted in the 2006 Warner Brothers motion picture, We Are Marshall
, starring Matthew McConaughey
and Matthew Fox
. It was also depicted in the 2000 documentary Ashes to Glory
. Marshall University
was given special permission by the NCAA to play incoming freshmen at the varsity level for the 1971 season. This team was dubbed the Young Thundering Herd and led by the few upperclassmen who didn't make the trip. Several players from other Marshall sports programs rounded out the team's roster. There is a plaque at the College Football Hall of Fame in honor of those lost in the 1970 crash and on a facade on the stadium's west side is a bronze memorial dedicated to the plane-crash victims.
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
. The team represents the university as a member of the Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
Eastern division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision level.
Marshall plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Joan C. Edwards Stadium
The Joan C. Edwards Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. It can hold 38,019 spectators and includes twenty deluxe, indoor suites, 300 wheelchair-accessible seating, a state-of-the-art press-box, fourteen concession areas, and...
, which seats 38,019 and is expandable to 55,000. Marshall has an impressive 118-19 overall record at Joan C. Edwards stadium for a winning percentage of .866. The University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
ranks second with an .825 winning percentage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The stadium opened in 1991 as Marshall University Stadium with a crowd of 33,116 for a 24-23 win over New Hampshire. On September 10, 2010, the Thundering Herd played the in-state rival West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers are the athletic teams of West Virginia University. The school is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Big East Conference. On July 1, 2012 the Mountaineers will switch conferences, moving from the Big East to the Big 12, becoming...
in Huntington in front of a record crowd of 41,382. Edwards Stadium is the only Division I stadium named solely for a woman, and Mrs. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards was a New Orleans jazz singer and well-known West Virginia-based philanthropist.- Biography :Born Joan Cavill in London, England, she moved to New Orleans at the age of four...
husband, James F. Edwards
James F. Edwards
James F. Edwards was a USA businessman and philanthropist.The owner and CEO of the National Mattress Company , Edwards married Joan C. Edwards in 1937.-References:**...
, has his name on the actual playing field. South Carolina's Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium
Williams-Brice Stadium is the home football stadium for the South Carolina Gamecocks, the college football team representing the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina...
is named in part for a woman.
History
Marshall is a football school with a rich tradition, winning conference titles in 1925, 1928, 1931, 1937, 1988, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002, as well as I-AA National Championships in 1992 and 1996 and I-AA finalists in 1987, 1991, 1993 and 1995.Marshall is also known for being victims of a tragic plane crash on November 14, 1970, where all 75 passengers, including 37 members of the Marshall football team were killed. In the wake of the crash, Marshall was given special permission by the NCAA to play incoming freshmen at the varsity level for the 1971 season. Marshall spent a full decade recovering from the crash, and was the nation's worst football program in the 1970s, and did not have another winning season until 1984. Including the year of the crash, Marshall was 23-83 from 1970–79, changing head coaches four times during that period.
Marshall had a winless streak of 0-26-1 from 1965–1969, and began Southern Conference play in 1977 with the exact record through 1981, 0-26-1. Marshall tied Western Carolina on a 59-yard field goal by freshman Barry Childers in 1980, still a NCAA freshman record, and finally broke through with a 17-10 win at Appalachian State in November 1981. Marshall's first winning season since 1964 came in 1984 under first-year head coach Stan Parrish
Stan Parrish
Stan Parrish is an American football coach and former player. Most recently, he was the head coach at Ball State University from 2009 to 2010. Parrish was previously head coach at Wabash College, Marshall University and Kansas State University. He has been an offensive coordinator at Ball State...
, clinched with a 31-28 win over East Tennessee State in the Bucs' "Mini Dome".
90s Dynasty
The Thundering Herd began a resurgence in the late 1980s, winning its first conference title in 51 years in 1988. The Herd later went on to become the nation's winningest NCAA Division I program in the 1990s, winning 114 games against 25 losses. Marshall won Division I-AA national championships in 1992 over Youngstown State (31-28) and in 1996 over Montana (49-29), as well as being national runner-up in 1987, 1991, 1993 and 1995. Marshall had 6 regular season conference championships (3 MAC and 3 SOCON), 9 consecutive ten win season, 3 bowl appearances, and 1 top 10 finish all in the 1990s. Marshall set a I-AA record with five straight seasons making at least the semi-finals of the I-AA Playoffs from 1991-96. The 1996 team, with Moss, Wade, Hanson, Eric Kresser, Doug Chapman and many other players who played professional football, was 15-0, had no game closer than a two touchdown win and was ranked No. 1 all-season. It is considered by many as the greatest I-AA team (now Football Championship Subdivision) of all time.Bob Pruett Era
Bob PruettBob Pruett
Bob Pruett is best known as the former head football coach of the Marshall University Thundering Herd for nine seasons from 1996 to 2004...
is best known as the former head football coach of the Marshall University Thundering Herd for nine seasons from 1996 to 2004. During his tenure at Marshall, the Thundering Herd compiled a record of 94-23 (.803 winning percentage), featured two undefeated seasons, won six conference championships, won 5 of 7 bowl games, and captured the I-AA National Championship in 1996. MU moved to Division I-A and the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
in 1997. Marshall won the MAC title five of its eight seasons (1997-98-99-2000-2002) and were runners up in 2001 in the conference before moving to Conference USA
Conference USA
Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports...
in 2005. Since moving to Division I-A, Marshall has finished in the Top 25 three times: 1999 (10th AP/10th coaches' poll), 2001 (21st coaches poll), 2002 (24th AP/19th coaches poll). Marshall fell to Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels
University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school...
in the 1997 Motor City Bowl
Motor City Bowl
The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game certified by the NCAA that has been played annually since 1997. The first five games were played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Starting in 2002, the game was moved to 65,000-seat Ford Field in downtown...
, 34-31, but won the next three games in Michigan's Pontiac Silverdome
Pontiac Silverdome
The Silverdome is a domed stadium located in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, USA, which sits on . It was the largest stadium in the National Football League until FedEx Field in suburban Washington, D.C...
, beating Louisville
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
48-29 in 1998, beating No. 25 BYU
BYU Cougars
BYU Cougars is an American soccer team based in Provo, Utah, United States. The team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference....
21-3 in 1999 to finish 13-0 and beating Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Cincinnati Bearcats are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Cincinnati. Since July 1, 2005, the school's athletic teams have been members of the Big East Conference....
in 2000, 25-14. Marshall and East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates
The East Carolina Pirates are the intercollegiate sports teams representing East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. All varsity-level sports teams sponsored by the university compete in NCAA Division I as a member of Conference USA...
matched-up in one of college football's greatest bowl games in 2001 at the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, a 64-61 double overtime win by the Herd over the Pirates of Conference USA. It is the highest scoring bowl game of all-time, and MU rallied from an 38-8 halftime hole behind Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich
Byron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
's five touchdown passes. Marshall would fall to the Bearcats in the 2004 Plains Capital Fort Worth Bowl at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Amon G. Carter Stadium is an open-air football stadium on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. It is the home stadium of the TCU Horned Frogs football team. It was named after Amon G...
, 32-14, in Bob Pruett's final game as head coach.
Mark Snyder Era
Mark Snyder
Mark Snyder is the former head coach of the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team in Huntington, West Virginia. He is currently the defensive coordinator at the University of South Florida...
resigned as head coach at the end of the 2009 regular season. He was 22-37 through his five seasons, failing to rebuild the program after NCAA sanctions limited scholarships. Marshall has been at the full 85 scholarships since 2008 for the first time in five seasons. In Snyder's final season, he led the Thundering Herd to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Assistant coach Rick Minter
Rick Minter
Rick Minter is an American football coach in the United States. He is currently the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky...
was named interim coach for the bowl game in which they defeated the Ohio Bobcats
Ohio Bobcats
Ohio University features 16 varsity sports teams called the Bobcats. The Bobcats compete in the Mid-American Conference in all sports. The Bobcats were a charter member of the Mid-American Conference in 1946 and are the only team still in the conference from the original 5 team league that...
21-17.
On Saturday November 28, 2009 the Herd suffered an embarrassing 52-21 loss to UTEP at the Sun Bowl Stadium
Sun Bowl Stadium
The Sun Bowl is an outdoor football stadium, on the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso. It is home to the UTEP Miners of Conference USA , and the late December college football bowl game, the Hyundai Sun Bowl...
in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, thus finishing the season 6-6. On Sunday November 29, 2009 it was announced that Snyder had resigned as head football coach.
Doc Holliday Era
On December 17, 2009, Marshall officially named Holliday as the next head coach for the Thundering Herd football team. Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick said Holliday had signed a five-year contract and would be paid $600,000 per season.National Championships
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Conference Championships
Conference affiliations
Coaches
Herd football traditionsMarshall football is rich in traditions. Some Marshall football traditions include:
MAC Championship games
Bowl gamesMarshall has been invited to play in 9 bowl games in its history, compiling a record of 6-3 in those games.
West VirginiaMarshall plays West VirginiaWest Virginia University West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;... in the annual Friends of Coal Bowl Friends of Coal Bowl The Friends of Coal Bowl is an annual college football game played between the West Virginia University Mountaineers and the Marshall University Thundering Herd. The game is sponsored by the Friends of Coal, a coal industry trade group... . Marshall and WVU first played in 1911, but it wasn't until 2006 before the two schools from the "Mountain State" faced off annually for the Governor's Cup. Marshall has never won against the Mountaineers in 11 meetings all-time. In the 2009 game, the Herd lost the match-up with the Mountaineers 24-7, after leading at half time. The defense paved the way in the first half by injuring QB Jarrett Brown Jarrett Brown Jarrett Brown is an American football quarterback who is currently with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football at West Virginia, and was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft... and keeping pure speed running back Noel Devine Noel Devine Noel Devine is an American football running back for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and was released four days later after leaving the squad. He played college football at West Virginia.He had a... under 40 yards. However, the offense could not put together any consistency and all star running back Darius Marshall Darius Marshall Darius Marshall was an American football running back for the Marshall Thundering Herd.-Early life:... was held under 85 yards. In 2010, WVU and Marshall faced off in Huntington. Facing a 21-6 fourth-quarter deficit, WVU outscored Marshall 15-0 on drives of 96 and 98 yards in the final 8:28 of the game. In overtime WVU took the lead with a field goal and won 24-21 when Marshall's kicker Tyler Warner missed a 39-yard field goal attempt. OhioMarshall competes against OhioOhio University Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus... in the Battle for the Bell, with a traveling bell trophy as the prize for the victor. Marshall last played the Bobcats in 2004, when The Herd was in the MAC. With Marshall's move to Conference USA in 2005 this rivalry game has been on hiatus. The regularly scheduled series will resume between the two schools in 2010. The rivalry was renewed in 2009 when the Herd and Bobcats faced off in the 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, which the Herd won 21-17. Ohio leads the all-time series over Marshall, however the Thundering Herd have dominated recent history winning 11 of the last 13 meetings. East CarolinaMarshall and East Carolina have a "friendly" rivalry with one another. They are emotionally bonded by the tragic plane crash on November 14, 1970. The Thundering Herd were coming back from Greenville, North CarolinaGreenville, North Carolina Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina... after a 17-14 loss to the Pirates when their plane crashed near Ceredo, West Virginia Ceredo, West Virginia Ceredo is a city in Wayne County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,675 at the 2000 census. Ceredo is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649.The city is also near the location of... . The teams have been bonded ever since. One of Marshall and ECU's most memorable games was the 2001 GMAC Bowl 2001 GMAC Bowl The 2001 GMAC Bowl, a college football bowl game held on December 19 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, pitted the Marshall Thundering Herd, then of the Mid-American Conference, against the East Carolina Pirates from Conference USA... as they combined for a bowl record, 125 points, as Marshall overcame a 30 point deficit to beat East Carolina 64-61 in double overtime. ECU leads the all-time record over Marshall 9-4. ECU is 5-2 against the Herd since Marshall joined Conference USA in 2005. Series Results |
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1-AA Polls
| Year | NCAA Rank | Sports Network Rank |
| 1987 1987 in sports 1987 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:... |
#14 | |
| 1988 1988 in sports 1988 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Michela Figini, Switzerland-American football:... |
#7 | |
| 1991 1991 in sports 1991 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:... |
#8 | |
| 1992 1992 in sports 1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup* Men's overall season champion: Paul Accola, Switzerland* Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:... |
#10 | |
| 1993 1993 in sports 1993 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Anita Wachter, Austria-American football:... |
#9 | |
| 1994 1994 in sports 1994 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* January 29 – death of Ulrike Maier , Austrian skier, who broke her neck when she crashed during a World Cup downhill race at Garmisch-Partenkirchen... |
#2 | |
| 1995 1995 in sports 1995 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Alberto Tomba, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:... |
#6 | |
| 1996 1996 in sports 1996 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Katja Seizinger, Germany-American football:... |
#1 |
Sources:
1-A/FBS Polls
| Year | AP Rank | Coaches Rank |
| 1999 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season The 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Florida State named national champions, defeating Virginia Tech in the BCS Sugar Bowl.Florida State became the first team in history to start out preseason #1 and remain there through the entire season. Their 12-0 season gave them 109 victories in the... |
#10 | #10 |
| 2001 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis... |
#21 | |
| 2002 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season The 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season ended the season with what most consider an exciting double overtime national championship game. Ohio State and Miami both came into the Fiesta Bowl undefeated. The underdog Buckeyes defeated the Hurricanes 31–24, ending Miami's 34 game winning... |
#24 | #19 |
Sources:
Individual award winners
- Walter Payton AwardWalter Payton AwardThe Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors...
- Michael PaytonMichael PaytonMichael Payton is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd at Marshall University. He was the recipient of the 1992 Walter Payton Award, which is bestowed annually upon Division I-AA's most outstanding player...
- 1992- Fred Biletnikoff AwardFred Biletnikoff AwardThe Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. , an independent not-for-profit organization which created the award in 1994 and has sponsored it since...
- Fred Biletnikoff Award
- Randy MossRandy MossRandy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
-1997
- Sammy Baugh TrophySammy Baugh TrophyThe Sammy Baugh Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top college passer. The award is named in honor of former Texas Christian University and Washington Redskins quarterback "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh. The trophy has been given out by the Touchdown Club of Columbus since 1959...
- Chad PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
- 1999- William V. Campbell Trophy
- Chad PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
- 1999
All-Americans
- Mike Barber (1987, 1988)
- Mike BartrumMike BartrumMike Weldon Bartrum is a former American football long snapper and tight end in the National Football League who spent the last seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was considered one of the best long snappers while he was playing...
(1992) - Rogers BeckettRogers BeckettRogers Beckett is a former American football safety. He played for the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals in his professional football career. After retiring from professional football, he completed his Masters Degree in Public Administration. Beckett currently resides in Apopka,...
(1999) - Troy BrownTroy BrownTroy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
(1991, 1992) - B.J. Cohen (1995, 1996)
- Travis Colquitt (1994)
- Melvin Cunningham (1995, 1996)
- Josh Davis (2001)
- Chris Deaton (1993)
- Sean Doctor (1987, 1988)
- John “Fuzzy” Filliez (1975)
- Aaron Ferguson (1996)
- Johnathan GoddardJohnathan GoddardJonathan Bruce Goddard was an American defensive end in the National Football League and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Colorado Crush before his death in a June 2008 motorcycle accident.-Early years:Goddard was born...
(2004) - Chris HansonChris HansonChristopher David Hanson is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 1999...
(1996) - Jackie Hunt (1940, 1941)
- Eric Ihnat (1990)
- Roger Johnson (1993, 1994)
- William King (1993)
- Eric KresserEric Joel KresserEric Joel Kresser is a former American college and professional football who was quarterback in the National Football League and the Canadian Football League for five seasons during the 1990s and early 2000s...
(1996) - Byron LeftwichByron LeftwichByron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
(2001, 2002) - Billy Lyon (1994, 1995, 1996)
- Sam Manos (1987)
- Albert McClellan (2005, 2006)
- Larry McCloud (1996)
- Nick McKnight (1988)
- David Merrick (1993)
- Shannon Morrison (1994)
- Randy MossRandy MossRandy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
(1996, 1997) - Tim Openlander (1994, 1996)
- William Pannell (1994, 1995)
- Chris Parker (1993, 1994, 1995)
- Jimmy Parker (2000)
- Michael PaytonMichael PaytonMichael Payton is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd at Marshall University. He was the recipient of the 1992 Walter Payton Award, which is bestowed annually upon Division I-AA's most outstanding player...
(1991, 1992) - Chad PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
(1998, 1999) - Phil Ratliff (1991, 1992)
- Jim Roberts (1940)
- Herb Royer (1937)
- Steve SciulloSteve SciulloSteve William Sciullo is a former American football guard of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2007. He...
(2002) - Cody SlateCody SlateCody Alan Slate is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Marshall University. He attended Hargrave Military Academy. Slate was considered one of the top tight ends in the nation and a top prospect at the tight end for the 2010 NFL Draft, but was...
(2006) - Billy Smith (2002)
- Mark Snyder (1987)
- Jermaine Swaff ord (1997)
- Wayne Underwood (1937)
- Darius WattsDarius WattsDarius Orlando Watts is an arena football offensive specialist for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft.In his career, Watts has also played for the New York Giants...
(2001, 2002) - Marvin Wetzel (1947)
- Jamie Wilson (1996)
College football
- Marshall has four players and one coach in the College Football Hall of FameCollege Football Hall of FameThe College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
, starting with Mike BarberMike Barber (wide receiver)Michael Dale Barber is a former American football wide receiver who played college football at Marshall University. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.-External links:*...
(1985–88) who was a record-setting receiver for Marshall who helped lead the Herd to its first I-AA title game in 1987 and its first Southern Conference title in 1988. He still holds the receiving yardage record at MU with over 4,200 yards and was a two-time All-American before he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
in the fourth round in 1989. Barber also played for the Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
.
- Harry "Cy" Young, who starred in football and baseball at Marshall College (University status in 1961) from 1910-1912. Young then left Marshall, and was a two-sport All-American at Washington & Lee. He is a member of the W&L HOF, MU HOF, WV Sportswriters HOF and Virginia Sports HOF besides the College FB HOF.
- Jackie HuntJackie HuntJohn Seva "Jackie" Hunt was an American football fullback/halfback. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He played professionally with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League in 1945....
(1939–41) set a national scoring record in 1940 with 27 touchdowns in a ten-game season. He rushed for nearly 4,000 yards for Thundering Herd, a hometown star for the Huntington High Pony Express before joining Marshall. He was drafted by the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and was a two-time All-American, playing in the Blue-Gray Game following his career.
- Troy BrownTroy BrownTroy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
(1991–92) considered the single-most dangerous scoring threat in all of Division I-AA during his two seasons in Huntington, few can match the heralded career of Marshall's record-breaking wide receiver. A dual threat on the playing field, Brown's elusive nature as a receiver and kick returner led the Thundering Herd to back-to-back trips to the Division I- AA (now FCS) National Championship game, garnering the NCAA title in 1992. He caught 139 receptions for 2,746 yards and 24 touchdowns in his career en route to earning First Team All-America honors his senior year. Brown went on to play 14 years in the NFL with the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, where he became the franchise's all-time leading receiver and won three Super Bowls with the team.
- Jim DonnanJim DonnanJim Donnan is a former American football player and coach and now a television analyst for college football and a motivational speaker. He served as the head football coach at Marshall University and the University of Georgia , compiling a career record of 104–40–1...
(1990–1995) the only coach representing Marshall in the College Football Hall of Fame. Donnan spent six seasons with Marshall and posted a 64-21 record. He led the Thundering Herd to four Division I-AA National Championship games, winning the 1992 national title. In 1994, the Thundering Herd won the Southern Conference Championship. His 15-4 playoff record ranks second best in NCAA FCS history. He was named Division I- AA Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1995.
Pro football
- Frank GatskiFrank GatskiFrank Gatski was an American football player.Gatski was born on March 18, 1919 in Farmington, West Virginia....
, C, 1985. Gatski is the only Marshall player to have his jersey number retired and is Marshall's only player in the Professional Football Hall of Fame. The university retired Gatski's No. 72 during a halftime ceremony at Joan C. Edwards StadiumJoan C. Edwards StadiumThe Joan C. Edwards Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. It can hold 38,019 spectators and includes twenty deluxe, indoor suites, 300 wheelchair-accessible seating, a state-of-the-art press-box, fourteen concession areas, and...
on October 15, 2005. Gatski died a month later, at age 86, and during his career with the Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1946–56) and the Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
(1957) he won eight championships in 11 title game appearances. Cleveland won the All-American Football Conference four straight years, going 14-0 in 1948, before joining the NFL. The Browns won NFL titles in 1950, 1954 and 1955 and were runners-up in 1951, 1952 and 1953. Gatski's Lions beat the Browns for his final title in 1957. The 31st Street Bridge, connecting Huntington to Proctorville, OhioProctorville, OhioProctorville is a village in Lawrence County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 620 at the 2000 census. The East End Bridge connects Proctorville to Huntington, West Virginia across the Ohio River....
, is also named in Gatki's honor, joining U.S. Senator Robert ByrdRobert ByrdRobert Carlyle Byrd was a United States Senator from West Virginia. A member of the Democratic Party, Byrd served as a U.S. Representative from 1953 until 1959 and as a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 2010...
(formerly the Sixth St. Bridge) and Congressman Nick RahallNick RahallNick Joe Rahall II is the U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 3rd congressional district, serving since 1977. Rahall is currently Ranking Member of the House Resources Committee. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of the southern portion of the state, including...
(the former 17th St. Bridge) among three structures stretching across the Ohio River from West Virginia to Ohio.
Marshall University Hall of Fame
Established in 1984, members from the football team are listed below.- 1970 Crash Victims 1990 Honored
- Bob AdkinsBob AdkinsRobert Grant Adkins was an American football blocking back, defensive end, guard and linebacker in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers. Adkins played collegiate ball for Marshall University and professionally in the NFL for 3 seasons.-References:...
, '39 1984 - Mike Barber, '88 1994
- Mike BartrumMike BartrumMike Weldon Bartrum is a former American football long snapper and tight end in the National Football League who spent the last seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was considered one of the best long snappers while he was playing...
, '92 2007 - Troy BrownTroy BrownTroy Fitzgerald Brown is a former NFL wide receiver, cornerback and punt returner in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall...
, '92 2002 - Boyd Chambers, '01 2003
- Sam Clagg, '42 1985
- Danny Clark, '49 1990
- B.J. Cohen, '97 2005
- Larry Coyer, '64 1987
- Red Crist, '26 1985
- Jim Cure, '64 1984
- Andy D'Antoni, '41 1987
- Sean Doctor, '88 2000
- Everette Elkins, '39 1991
- Aaron Ferguson, '96 2007
- Chuck Fieldson, '49 1988
- John "Fuzzy" Filliez, '76 1985
- Millard Fleming, '61 1997
- Carl Fodor, '85 1991
- Frank GatskiFrank GatskiFrank Gatski was an American football player.Gatski was born on March 18, 1919 in Farmington, West Virginia....
, '42 1985 - Don Gibson, '49 1985
- Reggie Giles, '88 2002
- Tommy Good, '65 1984
- John Gregory, '90 1995
- Bob Hartley, '49 1998
- Len Hellyer, '56 1988
- Cam HendersonCam HendersonEli Camden "Cam" Henderson was an American football, basketball, and baseball coach in the United States. He served as the head football coach at Muskingum College , Davis & Elkins College , and Marshall University , compiling a career college football record of 163–91–13...
, '33-55 1984 - Chuck Henry, '74 2006
- Frank Huffman, '38 2007
- Jackie Hunt, '41 1984
- Ramey Hunter, '32 1985
- Mickey Jackson, '66 1985
- Buck Jamison, '37 1985
- Roger Jefferson, '63 2003
- Roger Johnson, '94 2004
- Mike Kaufman, '75 2007
- Hunter Kincaid, '35 1988
- Wilson Latham, '60 1990
- Carl Lee, '82 1995
- Byron LeftwichByron LeftwichByron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
, '02 2007 - Billy LyonBilly LyonWilliam Morton Lyon is a former American football defensive end and defensive tackle in the National Football League who played for the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Lyon played collegiate ball for Marshall University and played professionally for 6 seasons...
, '96 2007 - Jack Mahone, '64 1994
- Albie Maier, '54 1985
- Ralph May, '62 1999
- Ray McCoy, '32 1986
- Claude Miller, '49 1997
- Howie Miller, '65 1987
- Jack Morlock, '39 1985
- Reggie Oliver, '73 1984
- Chris Parker, '95 2000
- Michael Payton, '92 1999
- Jim Pearcy, '41 1984
- Chad PenningtonChad PenningtonJames Chadwick "Chad" Pennington is an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for ten years. He is currently a football analyst with FOX Sports though he plans to return to playing after recovering from an injury...
, '99 1999 - Tony PetersenTony PetersenTony Petersen is the current co-offensive coordinator for the Marshall Thundering Herd football team...
, '88 1994 - Bob PruettBob PruettBob Pruett is best known as the former head football coach of the Marshall University Thundering Herd for nine seasons from 1996 to 2004...
, '65 1999 - George Queen, '25 1990
- Jim Roberts, '40 2002
- Herb Royer, '37 1985
- Ted Shoebridge, '70 1990
- Charlie SlackCharlie SlackCharles E. "Charlie" Slack is an American former college basketball standout from the Marshall University. He holds the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I record for the highest single-season rebound average when he grabbed 25.6 rpg in 1954–55.Considered the greatest...
, '56 1985 - Bill Smith, '37 1985
- Charlie Snyder, '47 1986
- Tom Stark, '27 1984
- John Stephens, '37 1989
- Jim Swierezek, '54 1987
- Ed Ulinski, '41 1986
- Wayne Underwood, '37 1987
- Earl Wellman, '35 1993
- Marv Wetzel, '49 1986
- Rucker Wickline, '61 1989
- Norm WilleyNorm WilleyNorman Earle "Norm" Willey was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He went to two Pro Bowls during his eight-year career and was credited with an unofficial 17 sacks in one game...
, '49 2003 - William "Bill" Richard WinterWilliam "Bill" Richard WinterWilliam Richard Winter is a former Marshall University football player.-High school career:Bill Winter graduated in 1961 from Nitro High Schhol and is one of the greatest athletes the school has ever produced...
, '64 1990 - Brad Workman, '19 2004
- Harry "Cy" Young, '12 2002
- John Zontini, '33 1984
Current NFL players
| Herd in the NFL | |
|---|---|
| NFL Draft selections | |
| Total selected: | 35 |
| First picks in draft: | 0 |
| 1st Round: | 3 |
- Daniel BaldridgeDaniel BaldridgeDaniel Baldridge is an American football offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League. He was signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Marshall....
- Offensive Lineman, Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Ahmad BradshawAhmad BradshawAhmad Bradshaw is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants...
- Running BackRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Chris Crocker - Safety, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
- Mario Harvey - LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Johnny Jones - Defensive EndDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Byron LeftwichByron LeftwichByron Antron Leftwich is an American football quarterback in the National Football League who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Marshall University.Leftwich has also played...
- QuarterbackQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Doug LegurskyDoug LegurskyWayne Douglas "Doug" Legursky is an American football center and right guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Marshall.-High-School:He played at Woodrow Wilson High School in...
- CenterCenter (American football)Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Chris MasseyChris MasseyChristopher Todd Massey is an American football long snapper who is currently on Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
- Long SnapperLong snapperIn American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
, St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... - Albert McClellanAlbert McClellan-Baltimore Ravens:McClellan was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL Draft.-External links:* *...
- Defensive EndDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
, Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Cody SlateCody SlateCody Alan Slate is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Marshall University. He attended Hargrave Military Academy. Slate was considered one of the top tight ends in the nation and a top prospect at the tight end for the 2010 NFL Draft, but was...
- Tight EndTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... - Lee SmithLee Smith (American football)-New England Patriots:Smith was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 28th pick of 5th round, 159 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was released by the Patriots on September 3, 2011 and claimed by the Buffalo Bills on September 4, 2011.-Buffalo Bills:...
- Tight EndTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
, New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - C. J. SpillmanC. J. SpillmanClaude Norman Spillman, Jr is an American football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Marshall.-External links:**...
- Safety, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
We Are Marshall
The November 14, 1970, plane crash that killed all 75 passengers on board, including 37 members of the Thundering Herd football team, is well documented. The event and its aftermath were depicted in the 2006 Warner Brothers motion picture, We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall
We Are Marshall is a 2006 American drama film directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol about the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team as well as five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters and...
, starring Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew David McConaughey is an American actor.After a series of minor roles in the early 1990s, McConaughey gained notice for his breakout role in Dazed and Confused . He then appeared in films such as A Time to Kill, Contact, U-571, Tiptoes, Sahara, and We Are Marshall...
and Matthew Fox
Matthew Fox (actor)
Matthew Chandler Fox is an American actor. He is mostly known for his role as Charlie Salinger on Party of Five, and for portraying Jack Shephard on the supernatural drama television series Lost.- Early life :...
. It was also depicted in the 2000 documentary Ashes to Glory
Marshall University: Ashes to Glory
Marshall University: Ashes to Glory is a 2000 documentary about the November 14, 1970 Marshall University plane crash that killed 75 people , and the efforts of new head coach Jack Lengyel and the coaching staff Marshall University: Ashes to Glory is a 2000 documentary about the November 14, 1970...
. Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
was given special permission by the NCAA to play incoming freshmen at the varsity level for the 1971 season. This team was dubbed the Young Thundering Herd and led by the few upperclassmen who didn't make the trip. Several players from other Marshall sports programs rounded out the team's roster. There is a plaque at the College Football Hall of Fame in honor of those lost in the 1970 crash and on a facade on the stadium's west side is a bronze memorial dedicated to the plane-crash victims.