The Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, has a pretty unusual athletic logo that has gone through at least three updates since the early 1980s.
The inception of the Marshall Thundering Herd, the distinguished athletic squads of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, traces back to the early 20th century. This period marked the foundation of a sports legacy that would grow to become a significant chapter in the annals of collegiate athletics in the United States. As participants in the NCAA Division I, the Thundering Herd has etched its name in the history books through its commendable performances across various sports, with a special emphasis on football and basketball.
Central to the narrative of the Marshall Thundering Herd is their football program, a saga of triumph and tragedy. The team’s journey is punctuated by the heart-wrenching plane crash of 1970, a calamity that claimed the lives of numerous team members and staff. Emerging from this dark chapter, the program became a beacon of hope and resilience, rebuilding itself to achieve remarkable success. This resurgence saw the Thundering Herd clinch multiple conference titles and make significant bowl game appearances. In the realm of basketball, the squad has demonstrated formidable prowess, marking its presence in the NCAA Tournament and showcasing consistent excellence in conference competitions.
In the contemporary landscape of college sports, the Marshall Thundering Herd stands tall, a testament to enduring spirit and athletic excellence. The university’s unwavering commitment to nurturing athletic talent is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities, strategic recruitment efforts, and an overarching vision that fosters the growth of its sports programs. The Thundering Herd, as of today, continues to inspire and instill pride in the hearts of Marshall University supporters, upholding a legacy of strength and resilience amidst adversities.
What is Marshall Thundering Herd?
It embodies the spirited athletic teams of Marshall University, participating in NCAA Division I, renowned for their storied football legacy and basketball prowess, symbolizing resilience and competitive excellence.
The Marshall Thundering Herd logo of 1985 featured a cartoonish bull leaning over a large green “M.”
On the 1989 emblem, there were the letters “M” and “U” in a slightly darker and warmer shade of green paired with bright yellow.
The 2001 logo sported the bull’s head above the “M.” Eventually, on the current Marshall Thundering Herd logo, there is just the “M” and the word “Herd.”
As of 2019, the head coach of the Marshall University is Doc Holliday. Probably the most memorable moment in the history of the team has taken place in the fall of 1970 when 37 members of the Thundering Herd program were killed in a plane crash (the overall number of killed passengers reached 75). The crash became the central theme of a Warner Brothers motion picture released in 2006.
The men’s team has had six NCAA Tournament Appearances, five appearances in the National Invitation Tournaments, three appearances in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments, and three appearances in the NAIA Tournament. The women’s team has appeared in the 1997 NCAA Tournament.
GREEN
PANTONE: PMS 354 C
HEX COLOR: #00B140;
RGB: (0,177,64)
CMYK: (81,0,92,0)
GRAY
PANTONE: PMS 429 C
HEX COLOR: #A2AAAD;
RGB: (162, 170, 173)
CMYK: (21,11,9,23)
BROWN
PANTONE: PMS 469 C
HEX COLOR: #693F23;
RGB: (105, 63, 35)
CMYK: (24,79,100,73)
LIGHT BROWN
PANTONE: PMS 4645 C
HEX COLOR: #AD7C59;
RGB: (173, 124, 89)
CMYK: (11,46,64,30)
BLACK
PANTONE: PMS BLACK C
HEX COLOR: #27251F;
RGB: (39,37,31)
CMYK: (0,0,0,100)