Marshall Magazine Spring 2022

T here are two signs that adorn the outside of the iconic Superdome in NewOrleans, Louisiana. One is the sponsor, as the massive edifice is now called the Caesars Superdome. Much less conspicuous is the sign with a blue and gold circular logo which denotes the league offices of the Sun Belt Conference. Welcome, Marshall University, to the Bayou. In December, the Thundering Herd football team and its fans got to see for themselves what football is like right in the footprint of their soon-to-be new conference. The Herd drew 16th-ranked Louisiana in the R+L Carriers Bowl in New Orleans and even before the game, Marshall Head Coach Charles Huff knew this league would be anything but the “Big Easy.” “If we want to close the gap and compete in this conference, then our stadium has to look like our opponent’s stadium,” Huff said in his pre-New Orleans Bowl news conference. “If we’re going to the Sun Belt Conference we can’t have our stadium look empty. If it’s empty then we’re going to get embarrassed. It’s no different than if we walk into the stadium and I don’t have the team prepared to play. We’re going to get embarrassed.” The Sun Belt invitation officially cameMarshall’s way onNov. 1, when league Commissioner Keith Gill, incoming Marshall President Brad D. Smith and Interim Director of Athletics Jeff O’Malley heralded a new day in Marshall athletics. “I do think the Mar sha l l brand is so important,” Sun Belt Commissioner Gill said of Marshall

Steve Cotton, the radio voice of the Herd and 28-year member of the Marshall broadcast crew, speaks at the press conference held Nov. 1, 2021, where the university accepted the Sun Belt’s invitation to join the conference.

after the news conference at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse. “The univer sity has a really excited, passionate fan base. I was at the Marshall vs. Appalachian State game earlier this year. There was somuch green in that stadium — it was a great atmosphere and a great game. That’s something Marshall’s going to bring — great fans, great tradition and quality football.” Marshall accepted the invitation to join the league as a new member, along with Conference USA mates

Old Dominion and Southern Miss, and will be joined by James Madison. The Dukes are coming up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks from the Colonial Athletic Association with a big football reputa tion. The addition of James Madison will also provide another regional connection with its neighbors in Virginia and West Virginia. The courtship between Marshall and the Sun Belt seemed to be born out of mutual admiration. The Sun

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