May 10, 2023
Welcome to The Drive with Paul Swann! On today's show, we have some exciting news about an upcoming football game between Marshall and Ohio State. The two schools have agreed to play at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on September 21, 2024. This will be the third meeting between the schools, and Marshall will receive a guarantee of $1.6 million for the game. Plus, Marshall fans will have the opportunity to travel to the game easily, and ticket priority will be given to active Big Green and season-ticket holders.
We also discuss the recent controversy surrounding West Virginia University's head men's basketball coach, Bob Huggins. Huggins used derogatory language during a radio show interview, which deeply hurt many people and caused embarrassment for the athletics family and members of the campus community. The university has outlined a series of actions and measures that will be taken to educate the athletics department and future coaching staff about inequality, reduce mental health crises, support marginalized communities, and make donations to organizations that serve these groups. Huggins will also face consequences, including suspension for the first three regular season games of 2023-2024, a reduced annual compensation of $1 million, and an amended year-by-year employment contract, which will end on April 30, 2024. Huggins has issued an apology and takes full responsibility for his actions, regretting the hurt he caused and is committed to learning and doing better.
Later in the show, we're joined by Eden Douglas, the marketing director of the Charleston Dirty Birds. Eden tells us all about the upcoming promotions and events for the team, including dollar beer night, a t-shirt giveaway, and a mega-blast fireworks show. She also talks about Grand Slam School Day and why it's important to the team, shares her thoughts on how the team can turn things around after a tough start to the season, and previews the Mother's Day tote bag giveaway.
