FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 2, 2008
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

Reds game among features of Great American ThunderFest
in Cincinnati; MU president to throw out first pitch

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall University Alumni Association, the MU Alumni Club of Cincinnati and the Big Green Scholarship Foundation are sponsoring the 2008 Great American ThunderFest and the Big Green Coaches Tour Weekend Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 in Cincinnati.

Several events involving the Marshall community will take place over the two days, including a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves at 3:55 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Great American Ballpark. Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp will throw out the first pitch at the game.

A pre-game reception will take place at the ballpark with guests from MU and the Reds’ organization. The ThunderTones, a Huntington vocal ensemble, will perform during the seventh-inning stretch.

Several price levels are available for the weekend, ranging from $29.99 per person for a package that includes a ticket to the game, a ThunderFest T-shirt, a Reds Hall of Fame pass and early admission to the Herd FanZone area, to $799.99 for a complete weekend package for four that covers all events Saturday and Sunday. Details of the different packages are available online at www.greatamericanthunderfest.com. Tickets also may be purchased at that Web site.

The weekend will continue on Sunday, June 1 with the Big Green Coaches Tour and a golf scramble at the Legendary Run Golf Course in Cincinnati. A reception and dinner will follow the golf scramble at the course.

Marshall coaches and former MU athletes will be participating in the golf scramble and the dinner. Among them are Mike Bartrum, former Thundering Herd football player and NFL long snapper, and former Marshall basketball player Mark Dorris. Participants will receive an update on Herd athletic programs from Marshall coaches.

“With the ThunderFest accompanying the 2008 Big Green Coaches Tour event on Sunday, we are bringing together a number of things Marshall alumni and Herd fans love and enjoy – Cincinnati Reds baseball, golf, great food and most of all the Marshall University Thundering Herd,” said John Chafin, MU Cincinnati Club secretary and a former Marshall baseball player. “We have put together a weekend that has something for every Marshall University fan and we expect a large turnout.”

Individuals may also purchase a baseball bat autographed by Marty Brennaman, the Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Reds. The bat features the saying “and this one belongs to the Herd!” and the Marshall logo. The Great American ThunderFest offers hotel and shuttle services for the event. Participants can purchase discounted Reds Hall of Fame tickets, and also may purchase T-Shirts for the event.

For more information, contact Chafin at (513) 404-8484 or by e-mail at jchafin7@hotmail.com.

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