Marshall University Athletics
A Letter To Herd Nation From VP/AD Gerald J. Harrison
7/1/2026 8:45:00 AM | General, Big Green Scholarship Foundation
‘Building The Future Of Marshall Athletics Together’
Dear Herd Nation,
As we begin a new fiscal year, I want to take a moment to simply say thank you.
Whether you are a Big Green member, season ticket holder, former student-athlete, alumnus, corporate partner, parent, student, or passionate fan, you are an essential part of Marshall Athletics. Your belief in this University and your commitment to our student-athletes continue to make an extraordinary difference.
When I arrived at Marshall just over a year ago, my goal was simple: listen, learn, and understand what makes this place so special. What I discovered is something I've admired for years but could only truly appreciate after experiencing it firsthand.
Marshall is different.
There is an uncommon pride here. A resilience. A loyalty. A belief that no matter the challenge, Herd Nation stands together.
President Smith has challenged our University with a vision of 'Marshall for All, Marshall Forever.' I believe Athletics has a unique responsibility to help bring that vision to life.
Every student-athlete we recruit, every fan we welcome, every championship we pursue, and every life we impact reflects the values that make Marshall University so special.
Because of your belief in Marshall Athletics, FY26 became a year of meaningful momentum.
Together, we celebrated a WNIT Championship, NCAA Tournament victories by both Softball and Men's Soccer, Women's Tennis competing for the Sun Belt Championship for the second consecutive season, and the successful addition of our newest varsity sport: STUNT.
Our student-athletes also earned a department-wide 3.43 GPA while giving back through more than 5,400 hours of community service, demonstrating that success at Marshall is measured by much more than wins and losses.
Your investment also helped position Marshall Athletics as a national leader in innovation. Working alongside our valued partners at Marshall Health Network, we became the first institution in the Sun Belt Conference and only the fourth in the nation to establish a comprehensive all-sport advertising patch partnership. It is another example of how Marshall continues to think creatively and lead boldly in an ever-changing collegiate athletics landscape.
Together, we completed the Buck Harless Student-Athlete Success Center, replaced the aging lights at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, installed a new playing surface inside the Chris Cline Indoor Athletic Complex, expanded capacity at Hoops Family Field, strengthened our investment in student-athlete nutrition and mental health, increased attendance, grew philanthropic support through the Big Green Foundation, expanded corporate partnerships alongside our outstanding partners at Learfield, and introduced innovative revenue-generating experiences like the Dutch Miller Deck and The Porch.
Every one of those accomplishments reflects your belief in our student-athletes and your commitment to Marshall University.
While we celebrate our progress, we also recognize there is still much to accomplish.
College athletics continues to change rapidly. The challenges ahead are significant, but so are the opportunities. We remain committed to making thoughtful decisions that strengthen Marshall Athletics today while positioning us for long-term success.
Guided by President Smith's vision of 'Marshall for All, Marshall Forever' and grounded in our Herd Mentality, every decision we make is measured against one simple question: Does this move Marshall Athletics closer to becoming one of the most complete athletics departments in the country?
That journey requires all of us.
It requires exceptional student-athletes, dedicated coaches and staff, visionary university leadership, generous corporate partners, loyal alumni, committed Big Green members and passionate fans who continue to believe in the future of Marshall Athletics.
None of what we celebrated this past year happens without you.
Thank you for believing in our student-athletes.
Thank you for believing in Marshall University.
Thank you for believing in what we are building together.
The future of Marshall Athletics has never been brighter, and I look forward to continuing this journey with Herd Nation.
Thank you for choosing to invest in Marshall's future.
The best days of Marshall Athletics are not behind us.
They're in front of us.
Let's build them together!
Go Herd!
Gerald J. Harrison
Vice President and Director of Athletics
