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Not game-related, but what is Marshall doing in CUSA?

Talking to one of their fans before the game, the question came up. When Marshall moved from Iaa to Ia, they were in the MAC...Miami of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, etc etc...she never missed a game, home or away, in the MAC..In CUSA, their closest conference mate is Memphis.

Did Marshall join before Louisville and Cincinnati bolted, thinking they'd be close to those schools?

Seems like a lateral move at best that they made whenever it was.

That is a really good question. The only answer to that question is that I am sure any team would do all they can to get away from the MAC.

drewbz71 wrote:That is a really good question. The only answer to that question is that I am sure any team would do all they can to get away from the MAC.

That's the answer.

Yes, they were in CUSA before Louisville, Cincinnati, Army, TCU, etc. all left the league. So at the time, CUSA would have appeared a step up in conferences.

Big Hoss wrote:Yes, they were in CUSA before Louisville, Cincinnati, Army, TCU, etc. all left the league. So at the time, CUSA would have appeared a step up in conferences.

Wrong, they were invited to CUSA after Louisville and Cincy (and Army) left.

RGV Pony wrote:Not game-related, but what is Marshall doing in CUSA?

Seems like a lateral move at best that they made whenever it was.

I have wondered that as well....I suspect they regret the move.

From a financial standpoint it is a huge step-up. It is a huge step-up in perception as well. The terms of the TV deal are much better. More bowl tie-ins with higher payouts. The conference members are more committed to football as evidenced by some of the facilities and the improvements going on now and in the future. Not to mention we get to play in places like Dallas, Memphis, New Orleans instead of Bowling Green, Toledo and Kalamazoo. Have you ever been to Kalamazoo, MI in late November? Makes Huntington feel like south Florida.

Another plus is the fact that teams like WVU, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Cincinnati would have never signed to play in Huntington if we were still in the MAC. Not a doubt in my mind it wouldn't have happened. Especially the WVU series.

We're out here on the fringes of the conference geographically. But we can offset the travel costs by scheduling smarter OOC. Our future schedules include games both home and away with WVU, VT, Ohio State, Ohio, Bowling Green, Miami(OH) and Louisville. Next season we'll have to fly out to Dallas and Hattiesburg. But we can bus the team to Columbus OH and Bowling Green. Plus all of those places I listed are within a 3-4 hour drive time for Herd fans. Morgantown WV might be the furthest we have to travel. Anyway... this Herd fan has no desire to go back to the MAC and am happy where we're at.

thanks for the perspective Herd guy. And, aside from a few things here and there, really enjoyed my visit to Huntington.

RGV Pony wrote:thanks for the perspective Herd guy. And, aside from a few things here and there, really enjoyed my visit to Huntington.

I'm glad you had a good visit. Just wish I could have given you the Holiday Inn recommendation a little earlier.

Had the pleasure of meeting a couple Mustang fans today and invited them over to tailgate a while with us. A Mr. Stollingsworth and Mr. Meyers I believe. I hope I'm getting that right, I was about 6 or 7 beers in at that point. I asked them if they read this board and they said they did occasionally. They had been at the Hall of Fame Cafe but had left to walk around a little before the game. I think they were still recovering a little bit from last night. Sounds like you guys had a good time.

I stand corrected. I thought for sure they were in just a couple years beforehand.