Marshall Homecoming No. 111: Remember The Past, Thunder Into The Future October 5-6, 2012
HUNTINGTON — The Marshall Homecoming is set for 2012, the 111th Homecoming in the history of a University celebrating its 175th Anniversary as an institution.
Marshall was founded as Marshall Academy in 1837, became Marshall College in 1867 and Marshall University in 1961.
The school football program has roots back to the early 1890s, but the first homecoming game was documented as a “coming home” game for Thanksgiving on Nov. 28, 1895, including the placement of a corner stone for a lone-gone bell tower at the school.
Marshall tied Kingsbury High School of nearby Ironton, Ohio, 0-0, in a game played on the field beyond the grove of trees behind Old Main, the Marshall administration building.
That space is now the Marshall quad, located behind the current Science Building and James Morrow Library.
All but two of Marshall’s first 42 homecoming games were held on Thanksgiving, but that changed after World War II as homecoming began to bounce all over the schedule.
Marshall has an all-time record of 58-44-8 in the homecoming game, winning last year against Rice University, 24-20, and has won 17 of the last 19 games.
As usual, there are a number of activities for all alumni returning to Huntington for the game with the Golden Hurricane of the University of Tulsa, the preseason selection to win the West Division of Conference USA.
Here are events for this year’s Homecoming No. 111:
Friday, Oct. 5
Green and White Day and Picnic on the Plaza
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join us on the plaza of the Memorial Student Center for music, games, and prizes.
Cross Country, Track and Field “Bring Home The Herd” Weekend
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join Marshall alums from the Thundering Herd proud history of men’s and women’s cross country, track and field former student-athletes at a dinner in the Big Green Room at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Contact Taylor Strickland 304-696-3978 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information on attending.
Runners like Dave Kline, winning a distance event at the Lefty Rollins Track in the 1970s, will return for the Cross Country and Track & Field "Bring Home The Herd" event, Oct. 5-6. (Herd Insider file photo)
Homecoming TGIF
7 p.m. - 11 p.m. at Huntington Elks B.P.O.E. 313, Fourth Avenue in downtown Huntington
Join the fun, sponsored by the Huntington Elks #313, Stewart’s Original Hot Dogs, Mac-Reedo’s, Gino’s and Giovanni’s. $15 per person, or $10 for Elks’ members will include beverages, food, dance contest, silent auction, “Thunder Punch,” memory wall, memorabilia sale and raffle, Marshall Cheerleaders and Zumba lessons, as well as a #32 bracelet in honor of the late J.T. Rembert, a Marshall football player from 2001-04 who died this summer.
Champagne Welcome Reception
7:30 − 9:30 p.m.
The Marshall University Alumni Association and Black Alumni Association will be co-hosting a Champagne Reception at the Marshall University Foundation Hall/ Erickson Alumni Center. $25.00 per person for reservations or questions please call Fran Jackson - (304) 696-6705
Saturday, Oct. 6
The 17th Annual 5K Alum Run
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
This 5K course starts on 3rd Avenue between 19th and 20th streets and will end near the front of the Cam Henderson Center. Entry fee is $20.00 for early registration and $25.00 for late registration.
M Club Board Meeting
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
All former Marshall athletic participants — former athletes, coaches, managers, trainers, staff, cheerleaders and Marcos — are invited to join for the annual M Club Board meeting at 10 a.m. in the Cam Henderson Center arena. Contact Taylor Strickland 304-696-3978 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information on attending.
Homecoming Parade
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
You won't want to miss Marco, the cheerleaders, floats, Marshall dignitaries and members of the Homecoming court as the annual Homecoming Parade winds from downtown Huntington, up Fifth Avenue and ending at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
The Marshall Marching Thunder will be a big part of the yearly Homecoming parade, this year beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 6. (photo courtesy of Marshall Marching Thunder)
M Club Tailgate
12:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Join former cross country, track and field athletes and coaches as the special guests of the M Club Tailgate, located at the Bobby Pruett Pavilion on the Southwest corner of the Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Join the M Club, or attend by paying a small party charge. Contact Taylor Strickland 304-696-3978 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information on attending.
Tailgate Blast
1 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Marshall University Alumni Association, Marshall University Black Alumni Association and special guests, for MU Parents & Family Weekend, are celebrating at 18th Street and Fifth Avenue with a tailgate blast.
Marshall vs. Tulsa, Homecoming game, No. 111
3:30 p.m. kickoff
Joan C. Edwards Stadium
GO HERD!
Radio: Thundering Herd/IMG Sports Network, heard in Huntington and around the region on The Dawg, 93.7 FM and SuperTalk 94.1 FM and AM 930 (airtime 12:30 p.m. with College Football Today) and also on the MU student station, WMUL 88.1 FM (www.marshall.edu/wmul for free streaming). The C-USA Digital Network provides audio and video content for $9.95 per month or $79.95 a year for Marshall content - register at https://reg.cstv.com/register/?school_code=c-usa.
Television: CBS Sports Network (Huntington Comcast, channel 174; Direct TV, channel 613; and Dish Network, channel 158).
Vinny Curry had 3.5 sacks to lead Marshall to a Homecoming win over Rice last year, 24-20. (HI photo by Greg Perry)
Other Oct. 5 - 6 Celebrations
College of Liberal Arts
To all those great students who earned their degrees from the College of Liberal Arts at Marshall University; please drop by the college's open tailgate party during the Tailgate Blast, Hosted by Dean David Pittenger and his wife, Denise.
Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Homecoming Reunion
All alumni, especially of the 1950s, spouses, and friends are invited. An informal dinner will take place at 7p.m., Friday Oct. 5.
A pizza party will follow the game on Saturday, Oct, 6. For questions of RSVP's please call James Holmes (561) 549-1976 or e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Epsilon Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc.
The Epsilon Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding during Marshall University's Homecoming weekend. Kappa Alpha Psi is the first African American greek-lettered organization on the campus of Marshall University. For questions please call Stan Lane (703)585-3086
Rooms can be reserved at local hotels
Pullman Plaza Hotel Downtown
1001 3rd Avenue
Huntington
304-525-1001
Holiday Inn Express Downtown
800 Third Avenue
Huntington
304-523-8880
Best Western
Huntington Mall, I-64 Exit 20
3441 U.S. Route 60 East
Barboursville
304-736-9772
Comfort Inn
I-64 Exit 20
249 Mall Road
Barboursville
304-733-2122
Comfort Suites
2940 County Road 144
South Point, Ohio
740-894-1700
Days Inn
5196 U.S. Route 60 East
Huntington
304-733-9867
Hampton Inn
I-64 Exit 20
1 Cracker Barrel Dr.
Barboursville
304-733-5300
Heritage Farm Museum & Village Cabins
3300 Harvey Road
Huntington
304-522-1244 (Must call ahead for availability)
Holiday Inn & Suites
Huntington Mall, I-64 Exit 20
3551 U.S. Route 60 East
Barboursville
304-733-3338
Hollywood Motel
I-64 Exit 1
901 Popular Street
Kenova
304-453-2201
Lakeview Hideaway Bed & Breakfast
2135 Highway 1185
Louisa, Ky.
800-533-9585
Marriott-Townplace Suites
I-64 Exit 11
157 Kinetic Dr.
Huntington
304-525-4877
Quality Inn
3325 U.S. Route 60 East
Huntington
304-525-7001
Ramada Limited
I-64 Exit 11
3140 16th Street Road
Huntington
304-523-4242
Red Roof Inn
I-62 Exit 15
5190 U.S. Route 60 East
Huntington
304-733-5480
Super 8
I-64 Exit 11
2090 16th Street Road
Huntington
305-525-1410
Travelers Motel
56 Township Road
Chesapeake, Ohio
740-867-3339
Contact Information for MU Alumni Association
Primary Contact
Nancy Pelphrey
304-696-3134
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Secondary Contact
Rob Ellis
304-696-2901
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Marshall M Club Contact
Taylor Strickland
304-696-3978
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