6:00: Morning News

Herd alum, San Diego resident, ready to welcome Marshall fans for Big Dance

SAN DIEGO, Calif — Marshall University graduate Aaron Brooks never thought he’d have the chance to watch the Thundering Herd in the where he lives but that’s exactly what will happen Friday when Marshall takes on Wichita State in the opening round of of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego.

Aaron Brooks earned a Master’s Degree at MU in 2014.

Brooks is a retired Marine Corps officer. He earned a Master’s Degree from Marshall in 2014. He, with some other Marines and members of the Navy, started a Marshall alumni chapter. He said all of them got some good, albeit, unexpected news on Sunday.

“I was watching them play Western Kentucky (in the Conference USA championship game) but it never occurred to me that they’d be playing in San Diego until they announced it,” Brooks said. “And I thought, ‘What an opportunity after 31 years (of not making the tournament) and The Dance here on the West Coast where I would get a chance to watch them.'”

Brooks likes Dan D’Antoni’s Herd.

“They are just as competitive as a lot of the other teams but the way they win is really inspiring because everybody touches the ball. You just don’t have one or two stars on that team. There’s pace and there’s tempo and they are also playing solid defense which I think is really fun to watch,” Brooks said.

Another Marshall grad is part owner of the Legacy Brewing Company in San Diego where Brooks said they are planning a watching party.

Brooks says Herd fans are in for a good time.

“For the people who can’t get inside the stadium we are going to try to get some folks together and hopefully we win on Friday and take on the ‘Eers (WVU) on Sunday,” he said.

As for Viejas Arena where the games will be played.

“It’s a really neat venue–there’s a lot of fascinating things that have happened there and hopefully Marshall making to the next round and advancing from there will be the next chapter in its history,” Brooks said.

Herd fans began arriving on Wednesday with a larger contingent expected Thursday. Brooks predicts a good time.

“Ya know, West Virginia people are welcomed all over the world because the way they treat people and I’m excited to have as many Herd fans as we can join us in San Diego.

Marshall and Wichita State tip-off at 1:30 p.m. Friday.





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