On Saturday my dear wife, Carrie, and I went to see the Marshall Thundering Herd play the Florida International Golden Panthers (my FBS school #66 to see in person in my life) at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. I must say I am DELIGHTED that the Herd was ahead 38 to 0 at halftime. We left at halftime. The next morning I sang, along with my sister and my Dad, at the Brownstown Baptist Church. It was Old Home Sunday. We moved from Brownstown 36 years ago. We sang and met with friends that had tears in their eyes because of the great memories we were able to bring back. Thirty-six years on…that doesn’t happen just anywhere. It was great to be back home.
When it comes to football, Carrie and I are at “home” at the Joan C. Edwards Stadium (The Joan) in Huntington, West Virginia. I chronicled our journey and affinity to Huntington many posts ago. We had driven past the exit to Huntington many times on Interstate 64 as we were hurtling toward the North Carolina coast. We passed the exit and waved for years. One year, I think it was 2008, we stopped by, trying desperately to extend our vacation a few more hours as we were coming home from North Carolina.
What did we find in Huntington? We found our football home. Like I have said before, I have seen many sports movies. I saw We Are Marshall. It moved me. I enjoyed the movie Miracle about the 1980 hockey team more. I did not go out and buy a hockey stick.
What did we find in Huntington that July day as we were driving home? We found a town consumed with its college football program unlike you can imagine. At the gas station they were talking Herd football. At a local diner they were talking Herd football. Ironically enough, the Herd was having a season ticket selling drive and the Joan C. Edward Stadium was open that day to prospective season ticket buyers. Carrie and I went in. I walk down on the field and looked around. It felt like we were at home. In 2010 we actually had season tickets.
So far we have seen the Herd play no less than 22 games the last few years. None of those games were as significant and meaningful as the game we saw last Saturday.
On Saturday morning, November 14, 2015, the 45th anniversary of the plane crash that killed 75 people including Marshall players, coaches, staff, boosters, and a Southern Airlines flight crew, there was a “Silencing of the Fountain” ceremony. The fountain outside the Memorial Student Center was turned off…as is the custom on November 14th every year. I can tell you that when I watched the water cease to flow…my heart hit the bottom of my feet. It was a humbling experience.
Stephen Ward, whose father, Parker Ward, was on the plane that crashed 45 years ago spoke to a large, solemn gathering. His words were hopeful. His words were from the heart. Anyone that was there understood heart.
Coach Doc Holliday addressed the crown with an emotional tone.
Roses were placed next to the silenced fountain. One for each of the crash victims as their names were called.
This picture is in the Memorial Student Center.
It was a beautiful day for football on Saturday.
The Herd wore their customary block “M” on one side of their helmets and the number “75” was on the other side of their helmets in honor of crash victims.
The Herd beat FIU 52 to 0. Carrie and I enjoyed that.
We will be in Bowling Green for the game against Western Kentucky that will decide the C-USA East and a place in the C-USA title game. Go Herd!
We were drawn to Marshall for good reasons. The love of football. The love of good people. The desire to pull in the same direction. Is there a special element that is both spiritual and tangible? I think so. I think it was meant to be. There are other campuses…and alma maters for that matter…that are closer to us. But for college football for Carrie and me, there is nowhere closer to our hearts than Huntington. It was meant to be. And I am not sure why.
The fountain will flow again come spring.
Go Herd!
Speaking the rights.
Danny Johnson