Stadium gets a makeover

When fans enter the Joan C. Edwards stadium September 10 for the home opener against WVU, they will be getting a first look at "Joan's" $2.4 million facelift.

That's an expensive day at the spa for any lady, but the stadium upgrades are well worth it, said Scott Morehouse, associate athletics director for game operations and facilities.

"Game experience is really going to be enhanced with the new upgrades," he said. "Fans in any seat will have a great view of the play on the field."

The new upgrades includes a video board on each end of the stadium, with the largest located on the north end measuring 28 feet high by 49 feet wide.

Accompanying the video boards are two ribbon or ticker displays that flank the Shewey Building scoreboard.  Another great addition is the new sound system.

"The sound system was our chief complaint, so correcting that and improving sound was obviously a big reason for the upgrades," Morehouse said.

Daktronics, a company known nationwide for their work in Major League ballparks and NFL stadiums, is the company responsible for the new additions.

"We went with Daktronics, not only because of their reputation but because the quality of their work," Morehouse said.

"In Huntington we have weather conditions ranging from blazing hot at the beginning of the season to freezing temperatures at the end of the year," he said. "We have rain, snow, high winds, so it was important to go with a company who could provide a product to withstand all of that."

 "It's exciting," said Zach Fisher a senior biology major from Huntington, W.Va. "I can't wait to see it, and I think it will be more enjoyable as a fan to watch a game."

One of only three stadiums in all of college football named after a woman, "Joan" needed a little pampering. Now that she has it, she's ready to show off her new look to the Marshall community as well as the nation as the Herd takes on the Mountaineers on ESPN.  After all, what good is a makeover if you can't show it off?

   Justin Prince can be contacted at prince26@marshall.edu.