Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Announces Vision For 2026-27 and Beyond
8/18/2026 5:00:00 PM | General
Year One success under Harrison paves way for Herd’s bright future in Year Two
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – As Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald J. Harrison celebrated his one-year anniversary of leading Marshall Athletics on Saturday, that date was filled with two things: excitement and momentum from his first year at the helm and a clear vision for the future.
In year one, success in all aspects – competition, academics, community success and revenue – set the foundation for Marshall Athletics' future, which will thrive under the banner "One Goal. One Herd."
This phrase emphasizes Marshall's commitment to becoming the most complete athletics department in the nation through a student-athlete centric model that emphasizes competitive excellence, energizes the Herd Nation fan base through fan and community engagement, creates financial sustainability, beautifies Marshall's athletics facilities and bolsters organizational development, which all aids Marshall in enhancing its lifelong relationships with alumni, fans and supporters.
"Our first year together has created tremendous momentum, but we are just getting started," Harrison said. "Our goal is clear: to become the most complete athletics department in the country. We will pursue championships, develop our Sons and Daughters of Marshall, serve our community and win the right way. We have great people, a University committed to athletics and a Herd Nation that believes in where we are going. If we continue to work together, hold ourselves to a high standard and remember that details matter, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. One Goal. One Herd."
First-Year Success
The new vision of "One Goal. One Herd." builds upon the strategic direction established during Marshall Athletics' first year of its current plan and recognizes significant progress across the entire athletics department.
Marshall student-athletes have won championships, competed in postseason competition, achieved at a high level academically and served the Huntington community.
The keynote accomplishments of Marshall Athletics during Harrison's first year in 2025-26 include:
- An overall 3.43 departmental grade-point average
- More than 5,400 hours of community service
- Championships, postseason appearances and meaningful competitive improvement across multiple programs
- The addition of STUNT as Marshall's 19th sponsored sport, which expands broad-based opportunities for student-athletes
- Revenue and philanthropic growth, including the Marshall Health Network all-sport partnership
- Capital improvements designed to enhance competition, the student-athlete experience and the fan experience on gamedays
- A strengthened leadership structure focused on maintaining the principles of the Herd Mentality through service, ownership, innovation and accountability
- Growing national recognition and stronger relationships across Marshall University
"Momentum is a foundation for what comes next," Harrison said. "Good is worth recognizing. Excellence is our destination."
A Complete Student-Athlete Experience
A central component of the vision is a continued commitment to developing the complete student-athlete.
Through HERD CARES, Marshall Athletics will connect academic achievement, mental and behavioral health, physical well-being, nutrition, career preparation, leadership development and transition support that will help our student-athletes achieve desired levels of success not only while representing the Herd, but also on personal and professional levels once their playing careers have finished.
The initiative reflects Marshall's broader commitment to preparing student-athletes not only to compete for the Herd today, but to succeed throughout their lives while carrying the Marshall legacy with them.
The vision states, "We recruit them to compete today. We prepare them to succeed tomorrow. We remain connected to them forever."
Competitive Excellence
Marshall Athletics will continue to pursue championships while competing with a consistent focus on excellence in every program.
The department has challenged each program to develop measurable competitive plans, recruit and retain championship-level talent and demonstrate its next competitive step.
Marshall will also strategically utilize revenue sharing and NIL resources to strengthen programs and increase championship and postseason opportunities.
The goal extends beyond wins and losses. Competitive excellence will continue to include academic achievement, student-athlete well-being, compliance, integrity, community engagement and responsible stewardship.
Fan Experience and Community
Marshall Athletics will strengthen its relationship with fans and the Huntington community through an enhanced experience for Gamedays in Huntington with the goal of creating the best game-day experience in the Sun Belt Conference.
The department also has launched its Marshall Athletics Legacy Initiative, designed to preserve the University's history, honor those who built The Herd and inspire future generations.
This initiative includes the inaugural Ring of Honor class, continued development of the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame, a Legacy Gala and the reconnection of former student-athletes, coaches and leaders.
The department's first Legacy Weekend is scheduled for Jan. 15–17, 2027.
Investing in the Future
Marshall Athletics' long-term vision includes strategic investments in facilities and infrastructure designed to improve the student-athlete experience, enhance the fan experience and create sustainable revenue opportunities.
Among the projects identified for future consideration are improvements to Gullickson Hall and the Cam Henderson Center, enhancements to Scaggs Family Practice Facility, a consolidated athletics administration and student-athlete success center, improvements to Joan C. Edwards Stadium and the Shewey Building, and modernization projects at the Hoops Family Field and Dot Hicks Field.
The department will prioritize projects based on factors including health and safety, student-athlete impact, competitive return, revenue potential, funding readiness and long-term sustainability.
Building a Sustainable Future
Marshall Athletics will also focus on strengthening its financial foundation through increased philanthropy, corporate partnerships, premium seating and hospitality opportunities, ticket revenue and year-round use and rental of its facilities.
The department's vision calls for athletic venues to become community assets throughout the year through concerts, live entertainment, weddings, receptions, corporate meetings, conferences, trade shows, youth tournaments and other events.
The goal is to create a diversified and sustainable revenue model capable of supporting competitive excellence across all Marshall programs while also strengthening the bond with the community to ensure they feel that Marshall's facilities are their home – further strengthening the already strong home-field advantage for our programs.
People, Culture and Organizational Excellence
The vision also places a strong emphasis on the people who make up Marshall Athletics.
The department will focus on communication, organization, preparation, accountability, leadership development, innovation and breaking down silos across the department.
Marshall Athletics seeks to be an organization where talented people can "come, grow, win and prepare for greater leadership."
The guiding principles of Herd Mentality — Honor the Journey, Engage with Purpose, Rise Through Innovation and Dedicate to Others — will serve as the foundation for how the department operates.
Vision for the Future
Marshall's vision is organized around three planning horizons:
Early Wins — 2026–27: Launch HERD CARES to bolster the student-athlete experience and implement metrics to track success in alignment with the founding principles of the Herd Mentality, advance financial and facility plans, launch the Ring of Honor, strengthen Gamedays in Huntington and improve organizational execution.
Build What Is Next — 2027–29: Advance priority capital projects, develop the Student-Athlete Success Center, identify and cultivate premium experiences that bolster the community's bond with Marshall Athletics and generate revenue and continue the quest to achieve championship and postseason success.
Create a Sustainable Future — 2030 and Beyond: Position Marshall Athletics to remain nationally relevant, financially sustainable and distinctly student-centered while successfully navigating changes to the intercollegiate athletics landscape.
At the center of every decision will be one fundamental question: Does this move Marshall Athletics closer to becoming the most complete athletics department in the nation?
Marshall Athletics' vision calls for coaches, administrators, student-athletes, University leaders, donors, partners, fans and the Huntington community to move forward together.
"The future will not be given to us," Harrison said. "We must build it together."
The department's commitments are clear: put student-athletes at the center, pursue championships, develop people, communicate directly and consistently, operate with integrity, steward resources responsibly, support the entire department, serve Marshall and the community, innovate with purpose and hold one another accountable.
One Goal. One Herd.
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