Marshall University

Marshall University is a public university based in Huntington, West Virginia. It was founded in 1837 as the private Marshall Academy, a secondary school or high school, under the control of the Southern Methodist Church. It was renamed Marshall College in 1857; however, the majority of its offerings remained below the college level. The church lost control of the college and it became a state institution in 1867. It was renamed Marshall University in 1961, although it had been acredited as a university-level institution since 1938.

Athletics

Marshall's sports teams are known as the Thundering Herd; the school's mascot is an American Bison (buffalo). The school colors are Kelly green and white. Marshall participates in NCAA Division I (I-A for football) as a member of the Conference USA.

Related Topics:
American Bison - NCAA - Football - Conference USA

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Marshall's most prominent program in recent decades has been its football program. In the years after the 1970 crash, Marshall built its football program into one of the most powerful in Division I-AA. Star players, such as future NFL greats, Troy Brown, Mike Bartrum, and Mike Barber, helped Marshall rebuild it's program. Its stay in Division I-AA (Southern Conference) ended in 1996 with an undefeated national championship season, earning its second national title in four years.

Related Topics:
Southern Conference - 1996

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The following year (1997), Marshall rejoined the MAC. The Herd proceeded to win the conference's football championship that season, behind an explosive offense led by quarterbacks Chad Pennington (now the New York Jets' starter), Byron Leftwich (now the Jacksonville Jaguars' starter) and receiver Randy Moss (now a superstar with the Oakland Raiders). In 1998, Moss had departed for the NFL, but Pennington was still at Marshall, leading the Herd to another MAC title and an unbeaten season. By 2000, Marshall extended its string of MAC titles to four. The Herd lost in the MAC championship game in 2001, but won the conference title again in 2002.

Related Topics:
1997 - Chad Pennington - New York Jets - Byron Leftwich - Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Moss - Oakland Raiders - 1998 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002

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In 2003, Marshall renamed its football stadium Joan C. Edwards Stadium, honoring a major donor to the university and its athletic program. The facility became the first football stadium in Division I-A to be named after a woman.

Related Topics:
2003 - Joan C. Edwards Stadium

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In 2004, The Thundering Herd were led by senior defensive end Jonathan Goddard, who led the nation with 16 sacks and junior free safety, Chris Royal, who was second in the nation with six interceptions. The 5'11 200lb Royal has become the face of Marshall football, and will try to lead The Herd to their first bowl game as a member of Conference USA. The 2005 edition of The Herd features a new head coach in Mark Snyder, former defensive coordinator of The Ohio State University.

Related Topics:
2004 - Jonathan Goddard - Chris Royal - Conference USA - 2005 - Mark Snyder - Ohio State University

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