Marshall Nearing New Season Ticket Record

[MeanGreen61]

Marshall nearing new season ticket record

HUNTINGTON -- In nearly unanimous unison, Marshall University football season tickets holders have checked "yes" on their renewal forms.

Fans set a new season ticket record of 14,027 last season, and expectations obviously are ambitious for 2007. West Virginia University highlights a home schedule that includes Southern Miss and East Carolina.

To this point, only Big Green members and 2006 season ticket holders have been eligible to renew and purchase additional tickets. Nearly five months prior to the home kickoff against WVU, Marshall is nearing a new season ticket standard.

Seeking to maintain momentum, Marshall officials are debuting their Choose-A-Seat Day campaign early. Beginning at noon Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, season tickets purchases are open to the general public. The event coincides with Saturday's Green-White Game, which begins at 3 p.m.

By weekend's kickoff, season ticket sales could exceed 14,000 and the total should quickly expand. Such a notion never has been broached, but Marshall has set a season ticket sales cutoff at 23,000.

Considering the sizable number of Mountaineer fans who will purchase season tickets for a single game and Marshall's mounting fan base, obliterating last year's season ticket record by nearly 10,000 is realistic.

"This year I think it's definitely doable, starting this early," said Isaiah Childers, Marshall director of marketing and promotions. "Hopefully, by Saturday we'll be close to 14,000, and that was our mark last year. Hopefully we'll be there just on renewals.

"And then Saturday, get a good push going and into the season with three months to boot, I think we can hit it."

Childers and fellow Marshall officials are mindful of reaching out, particularly this season. Bottom line, if Marshall fans don't purchase season tickets, WVU supporters will gladly help fill Edwards Stadium in blue and gold on Sept. 8.

"It's critical that our fans know that it's time to come out, and if you don't have season tickets, we need you this year," Childers said.

Fans attending Choose-A-Seat Day must purchase a $5 Green-White Game ticket.

HEALTH HOLDING UP: With a few exceptions, Marshall has suffered few injuries entering its final two spring practices. Linebacker Maurice Kitchens joins a handful of teammates, including safety Jon Moravec and guard David Ziegler, who is sidelined.

Kitchens wore a brace on his lower right leg Wednesday, but the injury isn't long-term.

"He's going to be fine," Marshall coach Mark Snyder said.

Otherwise, Snyder is pleased with how his team has held up during a physical stretch of spring drills.

"We've been relatively healthy, compared to people I've been talking to," he said.

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

[NT80]

Seeking to maintain momentum, Marshall officials are debuting their Choose-A-Seat Day campaign early. Beginning at noon Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, season tickets purchases are open to the general public. The event coincides with Saturday's Green-White Game, which begins at 3 p.m.

humm....unique idea.