ASHLAND, Ky. - Mark Snyder is a needy person.

Well, Snyder isn't really needy, but his Marshall Thundering Herd football program is in need and he's looking to the Ironton and Ashland area for help.

Snyder spoke Wednesday at the local Quarterback Club and thanked everyone for their past support, then asked for their help in the immediate future.

Marshall heads into Conference USA this season and is in the process of upgrading its facilities to bolster recruiting.

"This area is paramount to us. Fans around here go to Ohio State or Kentucky games and I understand that," Snyder said. "But when you're not following those teams, we want you coming to our games. We need to get you to come to Huntington."

Snyder, who led Ironton to the 1982 Div. III state runner-up as a quarterback, was hired as the Marshall coach in May. He replaced Bob Pruett who retired.

Coming from the area, Snyder was happy to be back among the people and area that is so familiar to him. He called upon his friendships to help him build a stronger program at Marshall.

"I'm back home and there are two things I need to say," Snyder said. "A, I appreciate you, and B, I need you."

One way fans can help besides attending games is to attend the local Quarterback Club meetings. Another big way to help is attending the Quarterback Club Rally to be held Aug. 27 at the Radisson Hotel in Huntington.

Tickets for the event are $100 each. All the money from the Quarterback Club goes toward the football program, unlike the Big Green Scholarship Club which raises money for all the Marshall athletic programs.

"The most people they've had at the Quarterback Club rally is 350. My goal is to get to 600," Snyder said.

"I need for everyone to go back out into Ironton and Ashland and get everybody into the stadium, and we need to get as many people as we can at the rally. I've never been to one, but they told be it's the best party of the year in Huntington."

Anyone who wants tickets to the Quarterback Club Rally can contact Edna Justice at the Marshall football office by calling (304) 696-6464.