Help!!!

That was the cry from Marshall head football coach Mark Snyder as he visited Ironton’s End Zone Pizza to initiate support for the university’s athletic scholarship foundation.

“We need your help,” Snyder said. “On behalf of Marshall, we have come to get this area more involved. This area is crucial for Marshall to succeed against the programs of Conference USA. We need your support for scholarships and facilities to be able to compete.”

Sam Stanley, who retired in 2002 as the alumni director, returned to duty in January as the replacement for former Big Green Scholarship Foundation Executive Director following a request from Marshall athletic director Bob Marcum.

“Bob Marcum is a friend of mine and he called me and asked if I wanted to go back to work. I was having Marshall withdraw pains so I took the job,” Stanley said.

Stanley’s job description calls for him to help raise money for athletic scholarships for the entire Marshall program.

“We have about 200 scholarships which is about $3 million. We raise about half that and the rest comes from the athletic department, tickets sales and other fundraisers. So the more we raise through the Big Green, he less of a burden it is on the athletic program,” Stanley said.

Snyder said the Ironton-Ashland area is crucial toward the growth of Marshall athletics.

“The Big Green helps our budget,” Snyder said.

Stanley said he would like to see a local chapter of the Big Green Club developed in Ironton.

“We just need the annual membership fee. We can help organize a Big Green here and try to increase membership and ticket sales,” Stanley said.

Snyder, who was an All-0hio quarterback and safety for Ironton, doesn’t expect fans to abandon their love for Ohio State, Kentucky or other teams. He would like to see fans support more than one program.

“We challenge you to come and see our games. I know there are a lot of Ohio State fans and Kentucky fans, but when they’re out of town, come and see us,” said Snyder who was an All-American safety at Marshall and coached at Ohio State.

Marshall and Ohio State will connect on Tuesday, April 25, at the Henderson Center on the Marshall campus. Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel will be the guest speaker for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation dinner.

Tickets are $75 each. Corporate tables of eight are available for $2,000 and include VIP reception with Tressel along with a special gift.

Reservations can be made by calling the Big Green office at 1-866-433-7310.