Marshall University Athletics
Chadwick, Herrion Speak at C-USA Media Day
10/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 11, 2011
IRVING, Texas - - Marshall women's basketball coach Royce Chadwick and men's coach Tom Herrion spent some time in Irving, Texas on Tuesday to meet with the press as part of Conference USA Media Day.
Chadwick and Herrion, along with the rest of the C-USA men's and women's coaches, made the rounds to multiple rooms at the Fox Sports Southwest studios doing TV spots with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and Conference USA Digital as well as being available for area newspapers.
Both coaches shared their excitement for the start of the 2011-12 season as both squads return four of its five starters from last season.
"We're excited to be healthy and are very much looking forward to having our depth be a factor this year because we have good depth," Chadwick said. "There is a lot of competition in practice."
Chadwick also spent time answering questions about the strength of the conference.
"I think the strength of Conference USA is the balance. There is not a big gap between the first place team and the last place. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night. I believe the champion this year is wide open as well."
Chadwick is entering his 10th season at Marshall, 27th overall, and has more wins than any coach in Conference USA history.
"It just means I've had a lot of great players, assistant coaches and administrators that have helped me along the way," Chadwick said. "I've been fortunate spend enough time on the sidelines to see a lot of quality student-athletes win basketball games."
Herrion answered questions about leading the Herd to 22 wins a season ago and the high expectations of this year's squad. Marshall has been picked second in many national publications and has also received praise from Memphis head coach Josh Pastner.
"I know every politician has a lobbyist and coach Pastner seems to be our biggest lobbyist," Herrion said.
Herrion appreciates all of the preseason hype, but pointed out multiple times on Tuesday that expectation does not automatically make you a winner.
"If our games were played in magazines or chalk boards we'd be pretty darn good," Herrion said. "But they're not; they're played on the hardwood."
Thundering Herd Madness is the first event to catch a glimpse of the 2011-12 squad. The men's team opens the exhibition season on Nov. 1 against Northern Kentucky while the women's team plays on Nov. 3 against Salem International and Nov. 6 against Bluefield State.
For archived video footage of Conference USA Media Day visit ConferenceUSA.com.
