HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The much anticipated unveiling of the new look Marshall mascot “Marco” is set for the Herd’s homecoming game this Saturday afternoon at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
“He plans to come out a few minutes before kickoff,” said Matt Turner, Chief of Staff to Marshall President Stephen Kopp. “So I would encourage fans to be at the homecoming game before kickoff so they can catch it.”
The new mascot look isn’t really “new” at all. Marshall fans voted in an online poll to return Marco to his previous “friendly” look. The mascot took on a new look the last time the costume was revamped with a more muscular and aggressive Marco. He wasn’t well-received.
Turner said to make sure they got it right, they’ve sought a key consultant on the project.
“We’ve had some input from a mascot pro.” Turner said. “Dr. Allen Young is a name that will mean a lot to people. Allen was Marco in the late 80s and early 90s and was named the nation’s top mascot.”
Turner said even this week the final details are being added to the costume to make sure it’s perfect. He admits there’s no margin for error because the mascot becomes such a symbol and emblem of the university. Turner said fans are extremely sensitive about a mascot and the personae it projects.
“If it’s not right, we’re not going to have it there,” said Turner. “There’s still some details coming together and a lot of folks are putting a lot of effort into this, but it’s looking pretty good.”