Marshall Football: Down But Never Out

By now nearly everyone in America knows of the tragedy that claimed the lives of the 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd Football team, coaches and boosters. The story as told by the film “We Are Marshall” has been sent around the globe on television, DVD, and the Internet.

So I don't need to tell that story, nor do I wish to pick at the emotional scar-tissue everyone inherits upon joining the Marshall family. Instead, I am going to focus on what that has become for everyone who bleeds kelly green.

From the ashes we rose; The title of another documentary on the events surrounding Southern Airways Flight 932, but also a sort of rallying cry for the city and university. Again, there is no need for a history lesson for sports fans here as the record books tell the story.

What is important to note that when faces with insurmountable odds the program at Marshall University has endured. Through the seventies, through the eighties and into the nineties where all the hard work finally payed off after years of toil.

That is why when people ask me why I am a Marshall fan, when I am mocked by those football fans I share a state with, though have nothing in common with. When faced with four straight losing seasons after so many years of success, I do not lose faith.

I will be the first to admit there are times when my backing of the team falters, however I have never turned by back on the Herd. I am faithfully at Joan C. Edwards Stadium for each home game, and watch those road games that are televised.

I remember the past and can get over the anguish of not continuing our success from the nineties. All of our coaches, players and fans know where we should be and how to get there. It is because of that that I have no fears that losing will become an acceptable trend.

We will rebuild, we will get better, and we will take our place at the top again. After all, we are Marshall.