HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — There’s only one way to explain it: This is football country.

Despite the slowed economic times, Marshall head football coach Mark Snyder was pleasantly surprised by the attendance at this year’s summer camps.

“With the economy the way it is, we expected the numbers to be down, but we were up by more than 100,” said Snyder.

“They didn’t have any camps here until we started them four years ago and there has been an increase every year.”

Football camps serve several purposes. Snyder likes seeing local talent on the turf at the Marshall football stadium and getting an up-close view at any potential recruits.

“We’re hoping to teach the kids something different than they may have learned and we’re hoping they are exposed to the campus and will some day attend school here,” said Snyder.

“Hopefully it also helps us create a bigger fan base and you never know who might be a future Herd player.”

Marshall conducts two individual camps for grades 1-through-12 plus a camp only for players who will be seniors in the fall of the next season.

Each camp run for only one day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes lunch. At $60, the camps are very affordable compared to other camps that might run longer but teach basically the same fundamentals.

Snyder plans to continue the camps next summer.

“The camps have been a great success and they’re a lot of fun not only for the players but for the coaches. We really enjoy having the young kids here. They are really eager to learn and that’s fun for us,” said Snyder.