Football Saturdays in Huntington are more than just a game; they are a full-day event that begin long before kickoff. From early-morning tailgates to the roar of the student section inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Marshall students play a major role in shaping the game-day atmosphere.
The support from the student section is felt in every corner of the Joan. Positioned in the corner going from the bottom stands all the way up, the students bring noise and energy throughout the entire game. Students often make their presence known before the game even starts until long after.
On campus and in the surrounding areas, tailgating begins hours before kickoff. Students gather with friends to cook out, play music and enjoy pregame traditions. Many arrive at the stadium early to claim spots in the front row, and for some, the tailgate is just as important as the game itself.
By the time the stadium gates open, the crowd is already energized. Students make their way into the stadium, often dressed in green and white from head to toe, ready to carry the excitement into the stands.
“It seriously does feel like an all-day event,” Marshall student Grace Chaffins said. “I’m getting up in the morning and getting ready and then spending the whole day and night doing stuff.”
Once inside the stadium, the student section becomes part of Marshall’s long-standing traditions. One of the most recognizable chants besides the “We are…Marshall” is the Thunderclap, performed with the Marching Thunder after each point the Herd puts on the scoreboard.
The chant begins with the band’s beat as students raise their arms overhead and clap in unison while yelling out each number. The Thunderclap has become a staple of the Marshall Football experience and a moment that gets the entire stadium involved after every score.
“It’s just something that I feel like we’ve always done, and everybody really gets into it,” Chaffins said. “Yelling along to all the chants is always super fun, and I feel like nobody feels awkward just going crazy because everyone else is.”
The student section can be used as a source of energy during close games or when the team gets down. Loud chants during pressure-building moments can create communication issues for visiting teams.
“I feel like part of the main goal of a student section is to get in the heads of the other team,” Marshall student Taylor Hayes said. “Us being loud and annoying can really get to them, but it also can really hype us up.”
Research backs up the impact. Home-field advantage has long been linked to crowd involvement, and student sections are often the loudest and most active groups in the stands. For Marshall, that energy can be seen by traditions like the Thunderclap, chants of “We Are… Marshall” and the trending music blasted out of the speakers that most everyone sings along to.
Each fall, new students join the section and learn the chants, cheers and game-day traditions making Saturdays in Huntington a consistent highlight of campus life.
While the results on the field may change from game to game, the role of the student section remains the same. Their presence creates an environment that fuels the team and connects the campus.
At Joan C. Edwards Stadium, the players provide the points, but the students provide the never-dull atmosphere.
Ella Hatfield can be contacted at [email protected]
