Jan. 4, 2007
 
‘We Are Marshall’ Cheer Has Special Meaning to MU Since It Was Started in 1988
 
By Chris Spencer
Huntington News Network Photographer
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- The "We Are Marshall," cheer has always had special meaning to the Marshall University Cheerleaders and now with the "We Are Marshall," movie that meaning has increased more.
 
The cheer started on October 8, 1988 at Fairfield Stadium when Marshall was playing Furman during homecoming. That date is pinpointed by Marshall Assistant Cheerleading Coach Duane Nutt -- a Herd cheerleader from 1986-1990. (See separate story "We Are Marshall Started in 1988).
 
Marshall University Head Cheerleading Coach Donna Dunn -- a Marshall cheerleader from 1972-1976 -- said, "Larger schools all have a traditional cheer that they cheer that blows the stadium away. I feel that "We Are Marshall," is our traditional cheer."
 
"To me it means more because I cheered after the plane crash. I cheered from ‘72 until ‘76. It was still all new and we were rebuilding."
 
Coach Dunn said, "The 'We Are Marshall," cheer with the movie now means more to me than ever before."
 
"It is the greatest feeling in the whole world. I wish and hope our fans will continue to do that."
 
"We do the cheer when we are on the defense. We have had a understanding with the coaching staff for a long time we don't want something to loud on offense."
 
"We are going to try to build on that and hope the cheer continues. When more people come to the stadium it will get louder. Hopefully we can add jumping or everyone throwing their hands up to make it more impressive."
 
"To be impressive everybody needs to yell, "We Are Marshall." Everybody after seeing the movie has to yell it. "
 
"There is no way if you bleed green and love Marshall you can sit there and not yell, "We Are Marshall."
 
Coach Dunn viewed the movie at the world premiere. The powerful scene where the board is considering bringing back the football program the fans are gathered outside below the window yelling , "We Are Marshall." That scene brought applause from the viewing audience at the premiere.
 
Coach Dunn remembering that clip from the movie said, "Tears, tears and tears. That to me brought back memories. It was very dramatic and one of the best parts in the movie."
 
Marshall cheerleader Candice Michael said, "The "We Are Marshall," cheer makes it really exciting. I went to the beach and I was wearing a, "We Are Marshall," shirt. I was able to connect with people from hours away. They would say oh yeah, my family...."
 
"It has brought so much attention to the school. It is such a great story that has gotten every one's attention. It is a heart-wrenching story with the rebuilding. I think it is great being from such a small town that so many people know about it. It is great to be part of it."
 
MU cheerleader Thomas Norton said, "We Are Marshall cheer reminds us of things that have happened before like the plane crash. It reminds us to overcome restraints in our lives and to be good people."
 
MU cheerleader Allen Jordan said, Like the words "We Are Marshall," it means we can survive every thing. In 2001 it means we can come back from a 38 point deficit and beat East Carolina and it means we can win in the future. I think it is a great movie."
 
MU cheerleader Stephanie Perry said, "We Are Marshall reminds me of my home town where I have grown up and the people that I love."
 
MU cheerleader Lindsay Pierce said, "We Are Marshall," reminds me of family. I am from here. I am looking forward to seeing the movie and have heard good reviews from the people around here that have seen it".
 
MU cheerleader Jennifer Kline said, "We Are Marshall," means a lot to me because it gets our crowd pumped up. It means a whole lot to the crowd when they stand up and do the cheer with us. It means a lot the fans and players. "
 
MU cheerleader Kayla Davis said, "We Are Marshall," means to me taking it one step at a time. With the movie coming out we are showing the whole nation we can overcome things step by step. That is what the movie is all about over coming things. Here we are today still alive."
 
"You can hear it every time we do the cheer, "We Are Marshall," and the crowd is in the football stands and yells back. It makes you feel alive and part of something. It is about life and the human spirit."
 
"It makes me proud to be part of the university. Not as many people knew about the story that should. It is such a great story and now everybody knows it and is embracing it. The whole community has been apart of it and now I know why."