Marshall University Athletics
Herd Student-Athletes Eclipse 5,500 Hours of Community Service In 2025-26
5/22/2026 10:34:00 AM | Big Green Scholarship Foundation, Student-Athlete Success
Marshall Athletics’ bond with community thrived through commitment to Herd Mentality
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Athletics is pleased to announce that Marshall student-athletes eclipsed 5,500 hours of community service for the 2025-26 academic year.
For the year, Marshall student-athletes accumulated a total of 5,518.9 hours of community service, giving back to the surrounding communities that help support them, too.
"When we arrived here at Marshall, we did so with a goal of not only producing winning programs, but also producing individuals that win at life," said Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall's Vice President and Director of Athletics. "All of the pillars of the Herd Mentality embrace the ability for our student-athletes to not only change their own lives, but the lives of those around them, and through their selfless acts of leadership, they have done exactly that. I couldn't be more proud of our athletes and grateful to them for representing Marshall University and Marshall Athletics so well as leaders within our community. Now, more than ever, it shows that today is a great day to run with our Herd!"
This week, Marshall Athletics teamed up for Community Cares Week – a week in which those at Marshall give back through meaningful service projects that support Marshall and the community by beautifying its shared spaces.
It is another great opportunity for team-building as Marshall Athletics and the community come together to make an impact while showcasing the Herd Mentality.
"Marshall University student-athletes thrive on the Herd Mentality, a way of doing things with intention for our school and community," said Maya Hunt, a junior for Marshall Volleyball. "Student-athletes embrace community service as a way to give back to the community that supports them so fully. We do this with purpose, showing up and giving our all to those who have helped and supported us on our journey. This helps us to lead beyond our sports, connecting with the community in new and meaningful ways. Community Cares Week is a way for student-athletes, our coaches, and community to showcase the Herd Mentality."
Hunt led all Marshall student-athletes with 60 hours of community service in 2025-26 and was part of a Marshall Volleyball team that out-performed all other teams by exceeding 205.2 percent of their team goals for the year in terms of servitude.
Volleyball's 16 student-athletes compiled a total of 492.4 hours of community service – an average of 30.8 hours per player.
By volume, Men's and Women's Track and Cross Country compiled the most hours with 1,319 hours by 88 different student-athletes while Football also had 787.5 hours.
From a percentage standpoint, Swim and Dive (149.4 percent) and Softball (148.5 percent) followed Volleyball, combining for another 1,050+ hours between the two programs with each averaging 22.4 and 22.2 hours per student-athlete respectively.
In terms of individual service, Alycia Rivera (Women's Track and Field) contributed 54 hours while Allison Dodd (Swim and Dive) was just behind with 53 and Garrett Ferguson (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country) also had 52 hours.
The pillars of the Herd Mentality include Honoring The Journey, Engaging With Purpose, Rising Through Innovation and Dedicating To Others.
Marshall student-athletes are honoring their own journey through their commitment to personal growth which, in turn, not only allows them to reach their full potential, but also to help others around them do so as well.
"Community service has really helped me connect with the Huntington community and given me a chance to learn more about people in Huntington and places where we as athletes can make positive impacts," Ferguson said. "Sometimes even the smallest gestures can have significant impacts on people's lives and really help people through difficult times."
By engaging with the community with purpose, Marshall student-athletes have built relationships and core memories that will last a lifetime while also gaining a sense of ownership in the community which they represent.
The relationships created within community service opportunities also allows Marshall student-athletes to collaborate with community leaders on innovative ideas that will build a better future for both Marshall and the Tri-State.
"Being a student-athlete means representing something bigger than yourself," Dodd said. "Community service is part of the Herd Mentality because it allows us to support others, build connections and give back to the community that constantly supports us. Some of the most meaningful experiences I've had at Marshall have come through serving alongside my teammates and creating an impact beyond our sport."
This show of dedication to others proves how special the reciprocity is between Marshall Athletics and its community.
Simply put, the community loves Marshall Athletics and Marshall's student-athletes love their community – and prove it through their actions.
"As athletes, our success is built on the shoulders of the communities that lift us up," Rivera said. "Giving back isn't just a gesture; it's our responsibility and the very least we can do to show gratitude for everything they've poured into us."
In the coming days, Marshall will also announce a new community service initiative as we Herd Together for the betterment of the community. Stay tuned to the Herdzone.com website and social media channels for more details.
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---HerdZone.com---
