HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 25

(By Delegates Morgan, Stephens, Craig, C. Miller, Sobonya,

                   Perdue and Reynolds)

Recognizing the importance of the annual Marshall - WVU football game and urging continuation of the series.

    Whereas, Marshall University and West Virginia University are our state's only Division I athletic programs; and

    Whereas, Both programs are an incredible source of state pride to all residents of our state, past and present; and

    Whereas, Both programs provide a means for our former residents, who are now alumni that live out of our state, to come back and stay in touch with our state; and

    Whereas, The 2010 football match-up between the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd brought national attention to our state and was watched by almost four million viewers on prime-time national television; and

    Whereas, The 2007 football match-up between the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd was seen by almost two million viewers on national television, even with a Saturday morning kick-off time; and

    Whereas, The atmosphere of this game and telecast has made an indelible impression on many other professionals in the world of college athletics and also served as a nation-wide, positive commercial for our state, one that is sorely needed; and

    Whereas, Hotel rooms in the Greater Morgantown and Greater Huntington areas have been filled the nights before and after the WVU - MU football games in 1997, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; and

    Whereas, The annual football match-up has presented a tremendous opportunity for Morgantown, Huntington and the entire State of West Virginia to showcase its unique tourism products ranging from state parks to bed and breakfast inns, to retail stores; and

    Whereas, Visitors to the state and fans at the game spend several million dollars in the state on goods and services associated with going to the game; and

    Whereas, West Virginia's small business owners, ranging from tee-shirt printers to convenience store proprietors, have greatly benefitted from the sales of their products to enthusiastic fans from across the state who travel to the football game to show their school spirit and support their team; and

    Whereas, Special events such as concerts and alumni receptions surrounding the "Friends of Coal Bowl" have generated additional enthusiasm and economic impact from the purchase of food, supplies and entertainment; and

    Whereas, The telecast of the game serves as a four hour commercial for our state's leading industry, the coal industry, through the "Friends of Coal Bowl"; and

    Whereas, The annual football match-up serves as a fall complement to the annual "Capitol Classic" basketball game between the WVU and Marshall men's and women's basketball teams; and

    Whereas, The annual football match-up provides thousands of college scholarship dollars to high school students in our state who might not otherwise have a chance to attend college; and

    Whereas, The annual football match-up is one of the finest opportunities our state has to showcase higher education in the State of West Virginia; and

    Whereas, This is the biggest intercollegiate sporting event in the history of our state that involves both state Division I programs, and it makes no sense for a small state, such as ours, to not stage the one annual event that brings national attention to our two largest academic institutions; and

    Whereas, With all of the benefits that are provided to our state, to our young people, to our academic institutions and to our residents and business people, it is only fitting that the football series between West Virginia and Marshall be continued on an annual basis; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Delegates:

    That the House of Delegates hereby recognizes the importance of the annual Marshall - WVU football game and urges the continuation of the series; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor and the Presidents of Marshall University and West Virginia University.