HUNTINGTON, W.

Sunday, July 22, 2001

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A big name is finally coming to Marshall Stadium.

Marshall athletic director Lance West announced that Tennessee has signed to play a two-for-one deal that will bring the Vols to the Herd’s home field in 2009.

The Thundering Herd will play in Knoxville in 2003 and 2010. A trip to Tennessee in 2006 is a separate contract signed last year that pays the Herd $600,000.

Tennessee, national champions in 1998, will be the Herd’s opener Sept. 5, 2009. Marshall’s games at Tennessee will be Sept. 6, 2003, Sept. 23, 2006, and Sept. 4, 2010.

Landing Tennessee gives the Herd some name programs on their home schedule. Texas Christian visits next year and Central Florida in 2003.

Marshall opens this season at Florida.

Speaking of the Florida game, the Marshall ticket office has 650 tickets for the Herd’s first game of the season Sept.1 against Florida in Gainesville, Fla., that will go on sale Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while supply lasts.

Tickets are $60 each. Actual tickets for the game will not be available until Aug. 1, but orders will be taken at this time. All previous orders for the game have been filled and will be mailed out Aug. 1.

Orders can be made with cash, checks, VISA or MasterCard only. Fans may call the ticket office at 1-800-THE-HERD or stop by the office in the Henderson Center.

Tickets also will allow fans admission to the Big Green pregame tailgate party.