If you are a fan of an opposing team and are traveling to Huntington to watch your squad, we want to welcome you! Herd fans have a reputation for hospitality, and we at The ThunderCast definitely vibe that way. We want your trip to be memorable and fun, and we want you to come back and bring your friends. So this guide will serve as a go-to reference for things to do, places to go, things to eat and drink, and places to lay your head at night. There will also be a parking guide, tailgating guide, and much more. This will be ever evolving and ever expanding. So make sure to check back often and definitely before your trip.
Honoring “The 75”
On November 14, 1970, Southern Airways Flight 932 crashed as it approached Huntington Tri-State Airport, killing all 75 passengers and crew aboard. This was the deadliest tragedy affecting any US sports team in history. There are several memorials in the area honoring those that perished in the crash.
The Memorial Fountain is located in the center of Marshall’s campus, on the plaza behind the Memorial Student Center. The fountain is turned off every year on November 14 and is not activated again until a ceremony in the spring. Shutting off the fountain is part of a ceremony held on the anniversary of the crash.
The Marshall Memorial at Spring Hill Cemetery is a granite cenotaph amongst the graves of six unidentified players buried beside each other. Coach Rick Tolley was buried in the center of the six players, and Nate Ruffin was also buried here later beside his teammates. The entrance to Spring Hill Cemetery is located at 1427 Norway Ave, roughly 1.0 mile south of the stadium from 20th Street. There are signs directing you to the memorial and the GPS coordinates are (38.41275620914606, -82.41898063758099).
The Marshall Crash Site Marker is located near the Huntington Tri-State Airport in Kenova. To get there, take Exit 1 – Kenova Ceredo and turn left on 75E/52S. At the end of this road (1.8 miles), turn left on Old US 52. The crash site marker is 0.6 miles on the right, at GPS coordinates (38.37311013400724, -82.57985782961465).
The Marshall Campus
The main part of Marshall’s campus is located between Hal Greer Boulevard (16th Street) and 20th Street from 3rd Ave to 5th Ave. There are other buildings and complexes located away from this four-block-by-two-block area, but the majority of the academic buildings can be found here. Old Main is the oldest structure on campus, and was built between 1868 and 1907, joining five buildings together. It is best viewed from the Hal Greer and 4th Ave entrance to campus. The One Room School House is located on 5th Ave at 17th St. Built circa 1888, it was originally on the border of Cabell and Mason Counties in Glenwood, WV, and was transported to Marshall’s campus in 1995. Walking through the main part of campus you will see various eras of architecture and design and a large greenspace called Buskirk Field. Many of the buildings face 3rd and 5th Avenues and are best viewed by walking down those avenues. A statue of the university’s namesake Chief Justice John Marshall can be found just behind the Drinko Library and beside Old Main.
The Cam Henderson Center and Gullickson Hall, which houses the basketball, volleyball, and swim and dive teams are also located on the main section of campus. A monument to Hal Greer, an NBA Top 50 player, NBA Hall of Famer, and Marshall Hall of Famer, can be found just outside the entrance to “The Cam” on 3rd Avenue near 18th Street.
The Recreation Center is on the corner of 5th Ave and 20th Street, with the entrance on the interior campus side. The 123,000 square foot facility has multiple courts for basketball, volleyball, and racquetball; a three-story climbing wall; weight rooms; lap pool; and much more.
Crossing 20th Street takes you to Joan C. Edwards Football Stadium as part of the Chris Cline Athletic Complex. Also in this complex is the Indoor Practice Facility, the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Sports Medicine Institute. Across 3rd Avenue is the home of Softball, Dot Hicks Field, and the new Baseball stadium, Jack Cook Field.
Further down 5th Ave between 25th and 26th Streets is the Soccer Complex. Parking during games here is in the Kroger parking lot across 5th Ave and 26th Street.
Things to See and Do in Huntington
Make sure to check out the Huntington Convention and Visitors Bureau for an all-encompassing guide to the area.
Huntington has 11 parks in its neighborhoods and has numerous walking/jogging and bike trails. Harris Riverfront Park is located along the Ohio River downtown, accessible via the 10th Street or 12th Street entrances in the flood wall. Ritter Park is on the Southside of Huntington between 8th Street and 12th Street and features a long walking trail, playground and picnic areas, tennis courts, and an award-winning rose garden. There is a walking trail connecting Ritter Park to Memorial Park, which features the Memorial Arch. Rotary Park features disc golf. Find out more about all of the parks in Huntington here.
Pullman Square downtown features restaurants, retail shops, a bookstore, and a movie theater with 16 screens. The surrounding areas of Pullman Square have become the heart of downtown with locally-owned shops and restaurants, bars, and live music. The Market houses several restaurants and shops, including the famous Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream. Heritage Station is also in this area and features many local artisans and The Red Caboose and Full Circle Gifts & Goods, both showcasing a Huntington, West Virginia, and Appalachian flair with their gifts.
Mountain Health Arena on 8th Street and 3rd Avenue has concerts and events regularly. Their events schedule is here.
The Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center is an iconic theatre that opened in 1928. From early vaudeville acts to the Hollywood premieres of Rain Man and We Are Marshall to the various annual acts making up the Marshall Artists Series, this theatre has hosted world-renowned acts. If you are able to take in an event while in town or take a tour, you should do so.
There are five golf courses in Huntington or the surrounding 10 miles from the city’s center: Guyan Golf and Country Club, Creekside Golf Course, Sugarwood Golf Club, Riviera Country Club, and Esquire Golf Course.
Old Central City is an antique district that includes The Wild Ramp, Cicada Books & Coffee, and other retail shops and restaurants on 14th Street West. Central City was formerly a separate town that was annexed into Huntington in 1909.
Step back in time with a trip to Heritage Farm Museum and Village for an amazing look at life in Appalachia from the 19th century to the present. This unique experience features collections from decades and centuries ago and will entertain adults and children alike.
Getting Tickets
Always purchase your tickets through the Marshall Ticket Office! You’ll never have to worry about getting scammed or pay higher than face value; the tickets will be digital and on your mobile phone instantly for the ultimate convenience; and all money goes back to the Marshall Athletic Department. Purchasing tickets for away games or postseason games should also be purchased through the Marshall Ticket Office to benefit the Athletic Department.
Our Ticket Office also has regular promotions and discounts, and season tickets provide the best game by game value. Always talk to a Ticket Office representative to find the best deal for you.
To order tickets, call 1.800.THE.HERD, go to HerdZone.com’s Tickets section, or stop by the Ticket office on the third floor of the City National Bank building on 3rd Avenue and 20th Street.
Where to Stay
Airbnb/Vrbo/Short-Term Rentals:
I have to self-promote and include my own short-term rental, The Southside Suite. It is a 2BR, 1.5BA furnished apartment with a full kitchen; washer and dryer; and a nice shared yard. If you are looking for more room and amenities than a hotel for possibly cheaper, look no further! Check out our page for The Southside Suite!
Downtown Hotels (1.2 Miles to Campus):
Delta Hotel – 800 3rd Ave
Doubletree by Hilton – 1001 3rd Ave
Exit 11 – Hal Greer Blvd Hotels (3.0 Miles to Campus):
Quality Inn – 3090 16th Street Road
Comfort Inn – 3094 16th Street Road
TownePlace Suites by Marriott – 157 Kinetic Dr
Hampton Inn – 177 Kinetic Dr
Fairfield Inn & Suites – 536 Kinetic Dr
Exit 15 – 29th St Hotels (5.3 Miles to Campus):
Red Roof Inn – 5190 US-60
Days Inn – 5196 US-60
Exit 20 – Huntington Mall Hotels (12.0 Miles to Campus):
Comfort Inn – 249 Mall Road
Best Western – 3441 US Route 60 E
Delta Hotel – 3551 US Route 60 E
Hampton Inn – 1 Cracker Barrel Drive
Where to Eat
We are champions of locally-owned restaurants here at The ThunderCast, and even though some of these eateries listed are chains, they are also owned by locals and Herd fans.
Around the Stadium:
Tudor’s Biscuit World is a must if you have never eaten there. Grab breakfast here before you start your day and you cannot go wrong! The closest to the stadium is less than a block down 20th St heading toward 6th Ave.
Giovanni’s Pizza is directly across from the main stadium parking lot on 3rd Ave and 20th St. They serve a lot more than pizza and have a sizable dining room with lots of TVs and beer choices.
El Ranchito Grill & Bar is a Mexican restaurant right next door to Giovanni’s on 3rd Ave. The food is quick and portions are large. They have a full bar with drink specials.
Club InnBetween is behind Giovanni’s on 20th St and is a full service bar with homestyle cooking. They have food specials that rotate daily.
Fat Patty’s is just across 20th St on 3rd Ave as you walk toward campus. They are known for a variety of burgers but have plenty of food options and a full bar in a big dining room with TVs.
Downtown:
Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar (833 3rd Ave) is an artisan, wood-fired pizza restaurant that also has a raw bar. Lots of beers are on tap, including beers from The Peddler next door as the brewery shares the same owner. Also a full bar.
The Peddler (835 3rd Ave) is a gastropub and brewery with throwback arcade games upstairs. Known for their grass-fed burgers and duck fat fries, they have plenty of other food options and lots more than their in-house brews. Also a full bar.
Black Sheep Burritos & Brew (279 9th St) is a fusion burrito restaurant with beers from their Charleston brewery and more, including a full bar.
Calamity J (1555 3rd Ave) is a Tex-Mex restaurant and full bar with upstairs and downstairs dining as well as outdoor dining space.
The Union Pub & Grill (1125 4th Ave) is a destination bar that serves food. You won’t find a better collection of Marshall memorabilia and other sports decor in a Huntington bar. It has a massive layout and TVs everywhere.
Parking
Most parking questions revolve around football games and tailgating. Marshall has a Gameday Parking page, with a detailed map of all of their parking lots and the cost of a spot in each lot. All Marshall season parking passes have separate donation requirements to the Big Green. Marshall also has single game parking in four of its lots, with three lots being $10 and one being $20 for each game.
Various businesses around the stadium have season or single game parking passes. Some allow tailgating and some do not. The majority of these businesses are right across the street from the stadium parking lots, along 3rd and 5th Avenues. These businesses include but are not limited to Tic Toc Tire, Fastenal, State Electric, Huntington Physical Therapy, Arby’s, Captain D’s, and Subway. It is worth asking these businesses what their single game or season parking options are.
If you don’t mind walking a bit, there are plenty of streets within six blocks that do not have metered parking. Some are much closer than that. These spots will go very quickly but are free of charge if that is what you are looking for.
If none of these lots or spots allow tailgating, just check out our next section!
Tailgating
Everyone loves a good tailgate before the game. Can’t host your own tailgate? No problem! Marshall fans are known for their hospitality, and several groups listed below have specifically given an open invite to Marshall fans and opposing team fans to stop by and tailgate with them. Just tell them The ThunderCast sent ya!
The ThunderCast
That’s right, you have an open invite to stop by and tailgate with us. We are located on the C Lot, which is directly behind the south end zone on the corner of 4th Ave and 21st St. We have several parking spots (69, 70, 71, plus a couple of extras most games) in a row in that corner, right along 4th Ave (the alley). If you see cameras and guys with microphones, that’s us! We set up four hours before kickoff if possible, and we always have a food theme. Sometimes we will have a couple of smokers with some of the best barbecue you have ever had. Sometimes we will have a Low Country Boil or other items we are cooking on-site. We will have plenty of food but we encourage you to bring your favorite drinks just in case we run out. We stop tailgating about 15 minutes prior to kickoff and are usually out at halftime for every game for a quick bite or drink before going back in. Weather permitting, we will stick around after the game on occasion.
The Potty Train Tailgate
The tailgating connoisseurs known as The Potty Train Tailgate are located on the corner of 21st Street and 3rd Avenue in the Fastenal lot. How early can you find them set up and ready to go? “Stupid early,” according to them. The food selection varies from game to game but you will usually find grilled food and cold beer. They love visitors stopping in to say hello and tailgating for a bit, and those visitors can bring their own food and drink to contribute, but definitely not required. Same with donations: welcome, but not required. All they ask is that if what you bring needs to stay hot, needs to stay cold, or requires something special, bring that too! One hour before kickoff, they take a ritual shot, and then start packing things up so they can go inside half an hour before the kick. They will always be back out at halftime, and unless there is heavy traffic keeping them boxed in, they don’t tailgate after the game. Oh and one other thing. . .yellow pants are not allowed!
Mike Gwinn, West Lot #238
Mike is in the West Lot, the main parking lot for the stadium right off 20th St. Spot 238 is just to the right of the center of the stadium when facing it in the West Lot, between the second and third rows back from the stadium. Look for the brand new “Bad Day to Be a Beer” flag flying! Mike has Spot 238 but a couple of spots around him basically tailgate together. He will be set up four to five hours before kickoff and have sandwiches or pizza and a cooler full of Miller Lite. If you want a different drink, you should bring it. He heads into the game about 15 minutes before the kick and comes back out at halftime for a drink or too, no food. The West Lot takes a while to clear out after the game, so he is usually out there for an hour or so afterward.
Brian Cole, Maple Lot #59 and #26 –