Topic: 2005 Tailgate/Home Game Feedback

[Blade]

East Carolina

Pir8football from Boneyard Banter

I have read below what some have had to say about the atmosphere in
Huntington and would like to add to it. I personally have never met nicer
fans. Everywhere we went, before, during, and after the game complete
strangers walked up to us to shake our hands and thank us for coming
to the game. You could not walk 20 yards before someone would offer
you something to eat or drink. Others invited us for dinner, they spoke
of their excitement to be playing us in CUSA and were happy to talk
about the history of our teams. Even the security was friendly with
smiles for everyone. When you get in the stands and take a look at all
those championship banners you know you are in a special place. One
word can describe Marshall, CLASS. This program and the fans that
follow them are the greatest addition to CUSA by far. When they come
to town next year, go out of your way to repay the respect we were
given. You can always count on me going to Huntington in the future
and if you did not make it, be sure to not miss it in two years. THANK
YOU MARSHALL!

Triad Buc from Boneyard Banter

You missed a good one. Kudos to the ECU football team, coaching
staff, and fans that made the trip.

Double Kudos to the Marshall fans who made it one of the most
enjoyable games I have ever attended. I hope that other schools can
say that about us going forward.

Cannonball from Boneyard Banter

But being a WNC Pirate and one of the 1st to return from Marshall I'll
gladly be the first to tell you (I think).

The difference in the Marshall fans is DAY and NIGHT from the WVU
fans, makes on e wonder if they are from the same planet let alone
state.

We had people come up to us in restaurants before and AFTER the
came and Welcome us and us about out trip etc. Tell us they we happy
to be in CUSA. Though I had good directions to Rocco's in Ceredo we
missed it because in is in a mixed use building, we asked a guy in a
truck pulling a work trailer where it was, he said that it was back the
other way (from the direction we came) but he was headed that way
and
to follow him, we got separate by a car, he pulls off the road to let us
catch up, and then an the intersection pulls into the turn lane to stop
and point out the building, now he may not have been a MU fan but he
was definitely a local.

I heard no F bombs or GD's directed at us or anyone.

When they and (all guest) come to G-ville I implore you to treat them
the same, after all the Pirates fans experiences in Morgantown this
difference in behavior change was the talk in the stands second only to
the game.

When Terry Holland talks about treating people like guest, and the
difference it makes, he does know what it is talking about. We heard
several Pirate fans saying they would be returning to Huntington but not
Morgantown. Sad but true.

BTW Ultraviolent and I were interviewed by the Charlestown NBC
affiliate. Don't know if it makes the air or not.

Ultraviolet from Boneyard Banter

Marshall and Huntington, WVa define class and hospitality in college athletics..

....I have never, ever met friendlier, nicer people, not just as
sports fans. They were most welcoming and gracious. More so than I've
ever seen. They need to be welcomed with open arms in Greenville next
year. All of college sports fans in America need to go there and take
note. It's only a 4 to 4.5 hour trip to Huntington from the Triad.

...Guy Whimper just showed the way for our team to win yesterday. That
rundown of the dback turned the game. Our guys stood up to adversity
after that and just took it to the Herd all day. Great game from a
team with nothing but pride to play for.

...Our road crew, Cannonball, JB, Ab'83, Pittsboro and myself are now
undefeated, unarrested, and slightly hung over in some cases. What a
fun trip!

Goldcrow from Herd Fans

As a pirate fan fortunate enough to visit yesterday in Huntington, I want to personally thank all Marshall fans in which I encountered for being such warm, gracious, and hospitable people. I can honestly report to all of the Pirate family that as an opposing fan at an away venure never have I been treated so well. My son and I were
welcomed throughout the tailgating area with invites and welcomes
without one single negative incident. I only hope that we (the Pirate
Family) display an image to our vistors in a similar manner.

Also, in act an act unprecedented and one which we should adopt,
your cheerleaders were great ambassadors for your University by
coming into the stands and personally greeting and welcoming all ECU
fans.

Compliments to you all and I will repeat what I told
several of your fans yesterday in that I attended my first and last game
in Morgantown several years ago and the class of the state is
represented in Hungtington. I look forward to my return visit to Marshall.

Triad Buc from Herd Fans

Herd Fans are some of the BEST in the country....

I am sure I am not the first to say this, but I have to give a HUGE THANK YOU for the class and courtesy shown by not only some but all the Herd fans.

I think all D-1a schools should have to go through Huntington at least once, just to see what showing common courtesy to visiting fans is all about. Everyone should take a page out of your book.

Unfortunatly, we were unable to bring up a huge crowd for the game this year, but I can almost assure you with the class that was shown to this group of Pirates in two years you will most likely have double what was up there this year.

Great game, and I can't wait to see you guys in Greenville next year.

USM

Eagle 68

Notes on the Marshall trip:

We had dinner on Monday night at the Marshall Hall of Fame Cafe. The drum major for the Marshall Band was our waiter for the evening. A really nice kid.

Marshall fans are first class! Most everyone we encountered spoke to us and wished us well. We didn't encounter any taunts or trash talking like we have on some campuses. We were walking around about 2 hrs. before game time and numerous people came up to us and asked us to please join their tailgating parties. When we said we were looking for muBlade, who had posted on EagleTalk, a guy led us across a parking lot and delivered us to him! muBlade and his group put on a fantastic feed--ribs, chicken, pork loin, trimmings and beverages. Hope we can reciprocate when they visit The Rock next season.

Once in the stadium, all of the Marshall cheerleaders came into the section where Southern Miss fans were seated and welcomed us to Marshall. They visited with everyone and asked questions about where we were from, how long did it take us to get there, was this our first visit to West Virginia, etc. I've been to a lot of stadiums in various parts of the country, but that was a first.

A high school coach from West Virginia came over and said, "Whenever Southern Miss plays on TV, we don't miss it!"

Two comments that were heard over and over were: (1)"We are extremely happy to be in Conference USA." and (2) "We can't believe Southern Miss is actually here playing on our campus."

After the game was over and they blew it or we stabbed them in the heart (take your pick), every comment was congratulatory in nature.

On Tuesday afternoon, we were treated to a tour of all the athletic facilities. Except for baseball and possibly softball, they have a leg up on us regarding facilities. We have some catching up to do there. Hope we can!!

All-in-all, a very positive experience. Thanks Marshall employees and fans! May our rivalry be a good one!

CubbieEagle
My mom and dad had a great time tailgating with you.  They said your ribs were fantastic and that the Marshall fans are top notch. They came away with a lot of respect for your school and its people. Looking forward to having you at The Rock next year.

Executive Director Richard Vogel to Marshall AD Bob Marcum:

I would also like to tell you that you have best and LOUDEST fans of any school I have traveled to. - I am beginning to hear - We are --MARSHALL in my nightmares :-) But in the stands, your fans were so gracious to us, and even after we absolutely stole the game from you, the fans came by to ours - shook hands and congratulated us. Prior to the game, your fans invited us to the tailgating - we were hosted by a fan who calls himself "Blade" - he fed our entire contingent - and every fan in his group welcomed us with open arms.

UAB

Captain Terror from BlazerTalk.com

You guys were GREAT!!!!  Its as if everyone there was being an ambassador for Marshall.  WE are going to have to step up and return the hospitality when you guys come south.  The cheerleaders and dance squad in the stands welcoming the UAB fans is something I never saw before.  I tip my hat in your direction.

SMU

Carolina Stang from Pony.com

A few observations from my weekend in West Virginia…

Marshall fans are the most courteous I have ever encountered as an opposing fan at a game.  We were not sitting near the small section of SMU folks, so obviously we were surrounded by Marshall people.  They were great to us even when we were winning and seemed very knowledgable about us.

Kansas State

BrotherDDay – Kansas State

“First off, Marshall Fans are the BEST. Serious. They took care of us (at least me) last night, this morning and during and after the game. Cold beer, good food, great folks, good (high anxiety) football game. aTm fans are the standard in my book, but the Marshall fans rolled out the red carpet and then some. Props to all of you…

…Off to the Hall of Fame Cafe and enjoying the win. If you had second thoughts about coming out here and didn't, go ahead and kick your self in the a$$!!! Seriously. This isn't the biggest or most glamorous school, but they take the cake on hospitality!!!”

Wildcat Matt – Kansas State

“- The nicest fans and citizens that I have ever been around, even nicer than TAM.
- We had Marshall CHEERLEADERS, both men and women, come up into the KSU section to welcome us before the game.”

Slucat – Kansas State

“The Marshall fans were great. We had tons thanking us for coming and wishing us a safe trip home. Ate at the Hall of Fame cafe and it was great, had a guy come over and talk to us, thanking us for coming saying good game. Talked to us for quite a bit.   Definitely heads and shoulders above Big 12 fans.”

Letter to the Editor:  Huntington Herald Dispatch

MU fans raise the bar on friendliness

I want to express my amazement, delight and gratitude to the multitude of Marshall University fans who so warmly greeted me and so many other Kansas State fans recently. Several of us talked about how many folks with green on walked over to us and said things like, "Welcome! We're glad you're here." Even when the game was over, they said, "Thanks for coming; be careful on your way home."

One K-State fan commented to me that it sure changed his attitude about greeting fans from other schools when they visit Manhattan. We like to think Kansans are friendly, but you sure raised the bar on friendliness.

It was especially meaningful to me because I was a Wichita State student when our plane and then your plane went down in the fall of 1970. Several of my friends lost friends and family. Ultimately, we lost our football program, in large part due to the plane crash. My hat is off to you for not only seeing to it that your program survived but has truly flourished.

Great fans deserve a great team. You have both. And you have made this K-State fan a Marshall University fan for life. Thank you.

Larry W. Cracraft

Coffeyville, Kan.

William & Mary

Tribes4SF – William & Mary

“…Leaving Huntington this morning with nothing but good memories of Herd fans. Thanks to Blade and all the others at the tailgate for a great time.

YOU ARE......

MARSHALL!!!!”