……another important hire, because finances are always going to be a challenge for us. I guess the NIL is a separate deal, but I really hope BS goes outside and hires a super sharp, experienced go getter.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Sutherland retiring - Big Green top guy
- Thread starter W-S HerdFan
- Start date
Last time Marshall hired outside, we got Huff...
Here comes the big problem...you have MU people who will never go away, who may or may not have good ideas or any real ability to do their job correctly.
Then you have people who have no ties to MU who have great ideas and are creative, but will either bolt or quit for the next opening elsewhere.
Hire one, you'll have a lifer on your hands...but you'll probably get bad creative ideas.
Hire two, you'll have a very brief but possibly good and productive work being done.
Here comes the big problem...you have MU people who will never go away, who may or may not have good ideas or any real ability to do their job correctly.
Then you have people who have no ties to MU who have great ideas and are creative, but will either bolt or quit for the next opening elsewhere.
Hire one, you'll have a lifer on your hands...but you'll probably get bad creative ideas.
Hire two, you'll have a very brief but possibly good and productive work being done.
The Big Green has been mismanaged for years. They need wholesale changes.
Travis is a good dude, always liked him. He’s been at UGA for over 10 years, probably is making way more than Sutherland was.
Marshall athletics is consistently put in a bad situation due to the lack of NIL money that they have to offer athletes. The Big Green needs a motivated individual at the helm running it. It needs to hire motivated, energetic, personable individuals to go out and seek both donations from Herd supporters as well as NIL deals from businesses. In my opinion the marketing department as well needs some work. For example I am a Herd fan and there have been many Baseball and Softball games this Spring that I didn't know about until the day before the event. Other schools marketing departments target different groups of people by constantly offering different promotions, give aways, concerts, etc. Marshall does basically zero in this regard.
To that end let’s figure out whose on the team and see how we can court them
For example we had a football player this past season whose family is worth over $200 million! That’s real money. I am not aware of anything done to court them. I believe the player decided to retire but maybe he could have been convinced to stay in another role. Idk they seemed to really like it here
Marshall has always aimed for the big donors, as they should and that's natural.
But we have so, so many smaller donors or potential smaller donors out there but Marshall/BG seems put off and annoyed in dealing with them.
I started on the BG's monthly plan in 1989 at $10 a month, That's all I could afford then.
I am still on the monthly plan but have grown that monthly donation substantially.
I am still just a middle of the pack donor and not a super fan. Point is, there are many more potential donors out there like me if the school would take the time to find, embrace and cultivate that segment. Jmo
But we have so, so many smaller donors or potential smaller donors out there but Marshall/BG seems put off and annoyed in dealing with them.
I started on the BG's monthly plan in 1989 at $10 a month, That's all I could afford then.
I am still on the monthly plan but have grown that monthly donation substantially.
I am still just a middle of the pack donor and not a super fan. Point is, there are many more potential donors out there like me if the school would take the time to find, embrace and cultivate that segment. Jmo
Problem is, the fans find reasons to NOT participate or donate.
They complain about supposed high prices for tickets as it is, you really think they'll donate to the BG on their own?
They should simply give every student attending MU, the option to be a BG member at the lowest tier they have, but they get all the perks as well so it works out.
The numbers would be significantly higher and some may actually care to give more.
Dylan Davis Look up his dad Ned Davis one of the first to computer model for Wall Street Nice nice family use to stop by our tailgate, they seemed to love it here
The students don't attend the games for any sport with much regularity. When they do, they leave at halftime. Doubt they would even care about BG members. Good thought though
I have. I can’t tell if he was interested or not. But maybe it was the final nail for Sutherland
Same can be said for the fans who don't attend regularly who you seem to want to try to reel in, as BG members.
As I stated, there's more to being a BG member the games. You get discounts at local businesses (which they really need to amp up advertising).
I would include a paper for every new student in their dorm, who signed up for the BG on their acceptance/attendance process, listing the local businesses and perks of how much they'd save, showing their BG donation actually saved them more in a year.
Who's done it better? The man is moving us forward.
MU needs an AD who emphasizes building support for MU athletics Outside the greater Huntington area, I. e., a wider area in WVA and, perhaps the Tri State. Meaning Fans AND Big Green membership. Herd presence/exposure in areas of WV has fallen off under current leadership, such as it is. This includes things such as the Coaches Caravans, etc., which have all but disappeared. School has to FIGHT for support outside of 1 or 2 counties. As of now, however, it looks like, at least athletically, our Athletic leadership appears to have decided to find an abandoned house, of which there are more than enough in H-Town, and curl up in a corner with a whimper and tail beneath like an old, whipped DOG, making little to no effort to compete for fan support with Morganhole Tech in 50 plus counties in WV!!
While I’ll agree, sometimes they ask to see your card. At least for me, and my friend a sky box owner, they never seem like they send out cards
Same old, tired, and beaten down talking point...
Of course MU is always going to have to play catch up with wvu, they're the major university in WV, sadly.
But even with the majority support of the state, they're still being left behind in the grand scheme of the NCAA.
Imagine being the AD...how do you contend with fans who find every reason to not attend your games?
How do you expand? Remember, pretty much everything you do, will cost money, for a limited budget AD.
How do you sell MU athletics to the average WVian?
I really am interested to see what you'd come up with.
But let's shift the focus...considering MU has actually grown in its academic offerings, expansion to new professional degrees (aviation being a big example), it's endowment has doubled since I was there, and they have been classified as an R2 level research campus, they actually have expanded.
I don’t know how long Sutherland has been in his job, but it’s at least 15 years. Marshall graduates what, a couple thousand people a year? If that’s right then we have 30,000 more alumni then when he got the job, but we have just about the exact same number of Big Green members.
Something different needs to be done.
Here’s some off the wall thoughts:
Every grad is offered free, or greatly reduced, season tickets to football their first year out of school. We have more than 2,000 empty seats every game, so what is the actual cost besides sending the electronic tickets?
It would give them a reason to come back, hang out with old friends, and hopefully introduce them to something they would want to continue. I would even have a tailgate area set up specifically for them.
Make the only qualifier be that they set up a minimum level BG membership.
You could make a similar offer for BB tickets for individual games. Make 500 tickets available per game that can be claimed on a first come first served basis.
Bottom line - just do something to get them involved. Recent grads tend to be poor with lots of bills. Give them some free entertainment and try to hook them.
Something different needs to be done.
Here’s some off the wall thoughts:
Every grad is offered free, or greatly reduced, season tickets to football their first year out of school. We have more than 2,000 empty seats every game, so what is the actual cost besides sending the electronic tickets?
It would give them a reason to come back, hang out with old friends, and hopefully introduce them to something they would want to continue. I would even have a tailgate area set up specifically for them.
Make the only qualifier be that they set up a minimum level BG membership.
You could make a similar offer for BB tickets for individual games. Make 500 tickets available per game that can be claimed on a first come first served basis.
Bottom line - just do something to get them involved. Recent grads tend to be poor with lots of bills. Give them some free entertainment and try to hook them.
What do you propose? Interested to hear ideas on how to grow the fan base. One note, 31.4% of Huntington's population of 45K is below the poverty rate. What's the demographics of our fan base. How do we engage students, new grads, etc.
Look forward to the response.
Here’s a breakdown of practical, realistic steps to grow engagement and attendance per AI:
1. Make Football Personal to the Community
Problem: The economic and demographic challenges make sports a lower priority.
Solution:
2. Change the Game Day Experience
Problem: Stagnant attendance often means the experience doesn't feel worth it.
Solution:
3. Engage Students Differently
Problem: Students often don’t attend or leave early.
Solution:
4. Strengthen the Digital Strategy
Problem: People are passively aware but not emotionally engaged.
Solution:
5. Lean into Regional Identity
Problem: Marshall doesn’t have the large-city clout of P5 schools.
Solution:
6. Long-Term Loyalty Programs
Problem: No system in place to reward repeat fans.
Solution:
Here's both a multi-game theme schedule and a localized social media campaign idea, tailored specifically for Marshall University football and Huntington’s community landscape:
✅ Multi-Game Theme Schedule: “This Is the Herd” Series
📱 Localized Social Media Campaign: “Herd Roots”
Goal: Make the community and alumni feel personally invested by celebrating their connection to the program.
Campaign Name: #HerdRoots
Problem: The economic and demographic challenges make sports a lower priority.
Solution:
- “We Are Marshall” Branding Revival: Lean into the emotional legacy of the program. Promote community-first messaging that ties the team to Huntington’s resilience and pride.
- Player Visibility: Encourage players to be seen at local events, schools, and businesses. When the team becomes "your neighbor," people care more.
- Honor Local Heroes: Recognize local teachers, first responders, military, etc., at every home game to build civic pride.
Problem: Stagnant attendance often means the experience doesn't feel worth it.
Solution:
- Theme Days: Family Day, Greek Life Challenge, Huntington Heritage Night, etc. Make each game unique.
- Local Food Vendors: Invite small restaurants/food trucks for gameday to promote small businesses and make tailgating more attractive.
- Cheap Seats for Locals: Offer discounted general admission sections for local zip codes or those on SNAP/TANF/WV WORKS—dignified access can build long-term loyalty.
Problem: Students often don’t attend or leave early.
Solution:
- Tailgate Incentives: Provide prizes or raffles for students who scan in and stay past halftime.
- Student-Only Merch Drops or Field Access: Give exclusive perks for student sections that stay and show out.
- Social Challenges: Launch TikTok or Instagram challenges that gamify student engagement before and during games.
Problem: People are passively aware but not emotionally engaged.
Solution:
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Show raw, authentic player stories—especially from WV, OH, KY. Feature walk-ons, family struggles, and comeback stories.
- Interactive Polls & Contests: Let fans vote on music, helmet designs, intro videos, etc.
- Localized Targeting: Run geo-targeted Facebook/Instagram ads in a 50-mile radius using nostalgia and pride-based messaging.
Problem: Marshall doesn’t have the large-city clout of P5 schools.
Solution:
- Position as the Region’s Team: Create campaigns like “The Heart of Appalachia” or “Our State, Our Team” and promote heavily across WV and border states.
- Alumni Ambassadors: Mobilize alumni in surrounding cities (Charleston, Beckley, Ashland) to host watch parties and bus trips to games.
Problem: No system in place to reward repeat fans.
Solution:
- Fan Loyalty App: Let attendees earn points for attending games, buying merch, or bringing guests—redeemable for exclusive gear or VIP experiences.
- Generational Connections: Offer family season ticket packages and “Legacy Kid” programs to connect youth to the Herd early.
| Game Week | Opponent | Theme | Execution Ideas |
| Week 1: Home Opener | FCS Opponent | 🟢 Huntington Strong Night | Free/discounted tickets for city workers, local vendors at tailgate, "This is Our City" intro video featuring downtown, local kids as flag runners. |
| Week 2 | Mid-tier G5 team | 🟢 Appalachian Pride Night | Bluegrass music pregame, WV & KY regional food trucks, pregame shoutouts for Appalachian alumni. Giveaway: “Heart of the Mountains” T-shirt. |
| Week 3 | Conference Rival | 🟢 Blackout & Student Takeover | All-black uniforms, black T-shirts to first 2,000 students, TikTok dance challenge for free tuition credit drawing. |
| Week 4 | Family Weekend | 🟢 Legacy Game | Parade of former players & alumni on field, discounted family ticket packs, on-field halftime “Herd Baby Race” or family-themed games. |
| Week 5 | National TV Game | 🟢 Lights On the Herd | Glow gear giveaway, LED wristbands that sync with music, social media photo contest: "Best Light Show". |
| Week 6 | Final Home Game | 🟢 Sons and Daughters Night | All WV high school bands invited to perform halftime, feature Marshall legacy students pregame, senior recognition. |
Goal: Make the community and alumni feel personally invested by celebrating their connection to the program.
Campaign Name: #HerdRoots
- Platform Focus: Facebook (older alumni), Instagram (young alumni/families), TikTok (students)
- Timeline: 6–8 weeks leading up to and through the season.
- “Where Are They Now?” Wednesdays
- Short reels on alumni in local jobs, especially teachers, coaches, business owners.
- Example: “Meet Mike – a Marshall linebacker turned Huntington firefighter.”
- “Friday Night Lights to Saturday Fights”
- Highlight Marshall players who came from local WV/KY/OH high schools.
- Use split-screen graphics of their high school game vs. Marshall play.
- “Fan of the Week” Feature
- Submit stories/photos of long-time or new fans; feature them on game day.
- Encourage fans to tag @HerdFB with #HerdRoots for a chance to win merch or field passes.
- Countdown Graphics with Local Icons
- Example: “5 days until kickoff – 5 bridges that connect Huntington just like the Herd.” Blend football hype with hometown imagery.
- “This is Home” Series
- Voice-over video series with players narrating what Huntington or Marshall means to them. Raw, heartfelt, low-budget but emotional.
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