PARKERSBURG -The university remains the same, but some of the names have changed when "Rally in the Alley" returns to North End Tavern.
Athletic coaches from Marshall University, along with Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick, will be the featured guests for a preseason tailgate party beginning at 6 p.m. today behind the NET.
Individuals will have the opportunity to participate in a meet-and-greet with first-year football coach Doc Holliday and new men's basketball coach Tom Herrion as well as renew acquaintances with women's basketball coach Royce Chadwick.
"Because of our new coaches and almost new athletic director, I've received a lot of calls from people I've never heard of before and that's a good thing," said Big Green committee member Jane Graham.
NET owner Joe Roedersheimer and his staff will prepare the usual for everyone who attends - plenty of food ranging from barbeque pork, hot dogs, cole slaw and baked beans to name a few.
The cost is $30 per person. The NET is located at 3500 Emerson Avenue.
"I talked to (MU Director of Athletic Development) Sam Stanley Tuesday morning and he said all the coaches are coming," Roedersheimer said. "We're just looking for a good crowd. Hopefully, the weather will hold up."
Holliday was introduced as the Thundering Herd's football coach last December. The Hurricane native brings with him 31 years of coaching experience at the college level. He has spent the past two years serving as the associate head coach at West Virginia University.
Herrion's resume includes a head coaching stint at the College of Charleston where he compiled an 80-38 record from 2002-06. This past season, he was part of a coaching staff which led Pittsburgh to a 25-9 finish and a ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
In women's basketball, the Thundering Herd just missed recording their seventh consecutive non-losing season after wrapping up a 14-16 campaign in 2009-10 under coach Chadwick, who arrived at Marshall in March 2001.
Hamrick, who started at linebacker and defensive end his last two seasons as a member of the Thundering Herd football team (1976-80), is completing his first full year as Director of Athletics at Marshall.
