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Dear alumni and friends of Marshall, My brother, the Pitt alumnus, called me the other day. He had met a Marshall grad on a business trip to Florida and called to tell me about it. My response to him was “Did you meet any Pitt alumni?” He responded not that he was aware because no one had volunteered that information. This got me to thinking about school spirit or pride or whatever name you want to call it. The alumni spirit. The spirit that lives in each of us such that when we go to work on Friday jeans day, it is with a Marshall shirt. The spirit that supports us as we drive an hour or more to an athletic event to cheer on the Herd. The spirit that is bringing together a group of alumni for a one-week cruise before the Miami game next week. Not every school has this alumni spirit going for it. I live about 18 miles outside Philadelphia. Within 10 miles of my house, I can name at least 10 colleges and universities, including Villanova, that are about 1½ miles away. If I extend that circle to 20 miles, I easily add another 10 schools. But as I drive around this area, I don’t see Villanova or Temple license plates. I see Penn State which is 3½ hrs away. They have that alumni spirit. Marshall has that spirit too. I love that I can go to a men’s basketball game at Princeton or a women’s basketball game at Navy and there are a strong 50-plus Marshall alumni in the stands. And we are a lot louder than the locals. Marshall has that reputation within the conference of team following. It is not only with the sports teams – but I will save that for another time, because we are coming up on a huge event for Marshall. I don’t want to overlook the Miami game because that is a big event. But with WVU in our hometown, that seems to overshadow everything else. The Marshall pride must show through. Whether you are in Huntington that weekend or not, wear the Marshall jersey on Friday. Pull out that Marshall plastic cup or glass for your favorite beverage. Get into the spirit. We must show that team from up north what real alumni spirit is. If you are in Huntington, let’s see you out at the events. The MUAA has worked hard to make this a great weekend for everyone who will be in town. The pep rally will be great. Get there early to get a good place to hear and see the bands. And when that cheer WE ARE… MARSHALL starts, and you know it will, let’s make sure the folks who did not make the drive south from Morgantown hear it. Don’t forget, the DVD arrives in just a couple weeks. Better yet, support the MUAA and buy the packet we are offering that includes the DVD, the music and the commemorative magazine. A great buy. To a successful football season. Let’s Go Herd! Always wearing the green…
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