Rain forced the planners of this year’s Herd Rally to send fans home last Friday, Aug. 25.
The annual event acts as a way to encourage school spirit surrounding Marshall athletics ahead of the football season. The rally also features multiple Marshall sports as well as the Marching Thunder and photo opportunities with the University’s mascot, Marco.
Reeves Kirtner, associate general manager of Kindred Communications, shared his thoughts saying, “[I am] extremely disappointed. This is one of my personal favorite nights of Ninth Street Live. A lot of planning goes into this week.”
He continued by saying that he begins planning the event during the spring, along with cooperation from Marshall University, Marshall Athletics and the city of Huntington.
According to Kirtner, this would have been the ninth annual Herd Rally. This would also have been the third year of the Herd Rally taking place at Ninth Street. Kirtner, who graduated from Marshall in 2004, said that being “a proud son of Marshall makes this night even that more special.”
The event was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. but was delayed by a half an hour due to rain. Ultimately, the rain proved to be too much of an obstacle for many of the activities on display, including poster signings and speakers, so Kirtner canceled the event.
Kirtner said that, “It was awesome seeing all the fans here. It made it harder to have to make that decision to cancel it.”
Despite the rainy weather, fans were excited to see their favorite Marshall athletics teams. Karen Lemaster and Bob Pelfrey Sr., who are community members who have been fans for 60 years, always looked forward to the football season that follows the rally. As lifelong Marshall fans, the two said that they come to Herd Rally every year and were upset that this year’s had to be canceled. Lemaster said that she “was really excited to see the band” this year.
