HUNTINGTON — The Dutch Miller End Zone Deck at Joan C. Edwards Stadium is expected to be completed before Marshall's first home football game on Sept. 6 against Missouri State, Marshall Athletic Fund Director Devin Miller said Wednesday.
Season-long passes to the deck cost $2,500 each, Miller said before the Thundering Herd's Fans First Day on Wednesday. Miller said Wednesday that spots remain available.
“It’ll be able to fit about a thousand people, and that includes the upper deck area,†Miller said. “It’s an open club area with a deck that extends to about 12 feet. You’ll have access to all-you-can eat, all-you-can-drink and sideline access to where we’re standing [about 10 yards from the home end zone].
“It also boasts 250 seats on the bottom that you’ll be able to access from the staircases on the outside with bathrooms on the side as well. We’re excited about the experience this brings – one of the most unique experiences in college football.â€
A parking pass is included for each set of two deck passes.Â
The addition of the deck includes the removal of a scoreboard. Miller said it will be replaced with "a ribbon-type of scoreboard that goes across with score, timeouts, play clock and stuff like that, similar to the ribbon JumboTron [across the bottom half of the stadium].
"As far as another massive JumboTron, not this year," Miller continued. "Hopefully, we can get that done in the future.â€
Herd football alumni are eligible for a discounted pass of $1,000, Miller said, "for the guys that put blood, sweat and tears into this field."
Revenue from the premium seating option will go toward revenue sharing options at Marshall via the Big Green Foundation, Miller said.
As a former Herd player, Miller appreciated the effort of giving back to football alumni while also propping up current players.
“All of the revenue that goes to the end zone deck will go into revenue-sharing and our efforts in that. It’s good to know that we care about them and that they also want to give to us,†Miller said. “It’s a nice synergy.â€
The goal of the deck was to provide another option for fans who are on a wait list for a suite. It also allows fans to move about during games, Miller said, between the deck, seating and the sideline.
“We’ve had problems with wait lists for premium suite areas for a long time,†Miller said. “Opening a new area for everyone and giving everyone the chance to have that premium experience on the sideline is what it’s about here. We want everyone to have the best fan experience."
Tyler Kennett is a sports writer for HD Media. Reach him at tkennett@hdmediallc.com. Follow @tylerkennett on X.
