CHAPMANVILLE  The Marshall University Big Green Foundation caravan rolled into Logan County yesterday for a golf outing and luncheon at the Logan County Country Club.

New Marshall Basketball Coach Tom Herrion, new Football Coach John "Doc" Holliday and Athletics Director Mike Hamrick were all on hand for the event.

Herrion honored former Logan High School and Marshall basketball standout Jim "Spider" Davidson with a plaque and photo and inducted him into the MU Athletics Hall of Fame.

"My time at Marshall meant so much to me," Davidson told the crowd. "I grew from a boy into a man and places in this country I never thought I'd ever see. I got to play in both the old and the new Madison Square Gardens. My years (at Marshall) were wonderful. I feel like now my career as an athlete is complete. Athletics teaches you so much and when times are tough, it helps you get through those tough times."

Herrion and Holliday both spoke at the luncheon and then played golf afterwards.

Former Logan High cheerleader Cheyenna Conley made her first appearance as a new Marshall University cheerleader.

Conley, who just recently graduated from Logan, helped with the golf outing and was present for the luncheon.

Hamrick said it was a new day and time for Marshall athletics. "We have been stagnant the last four or five years and I think we've hired two coaches who will change that," Hamrick said.

Herrion said for too long people have come to watch Marshall games to see teams like Memphis and UTEP play.

"I came here to elevate and restore the great tradition guys like Jim Davidson created," Herrion said. "I want you to come to Marshall basketball games to see Marshall play."

Holliday said he was glad to be back in Logan County. He said his family hails from Omar and he once worked in the mines in Sharples.

"I'm so proud and excited to be your coach," Holliday said. "Your expectations aren't as high as mine."

Read more: Logan Banner - Big Green caravan rolls into Logan Co

Friday April 23, 2010 Wasonga among 7 recruits at MU game by Chuck McGill Daily Mail sports writer Tom Hindman Parkersburg High School running back Allan Wasonga (5) passes quarterback Derek Wenzel in the Big Reds' 28-20 loss to George Washington on Friday at UC Stadium. Wasonga transferred to the Wood County school from Point Pleasant this year.Advertiser

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Big names from Marshall's football past, such as Chad Pennington and Randy Moss, will be in town this weekend for the Green-White spring game festivities.

But it could be a big weekend for the program's future, too.

Seven Herd recruiting targets for the Class of 2011, including two Parkersburg High School players, will visit for Saturday's scrimmage.

Among them: Big Reds teammates Allan Wasonga (running back) and Justin Johnson (offensive line).

"I like Marshall a lot right now," said Wasonga, a first-team all-state selection in football and runner-up for the Kennedy Award this past season. "My brother (Caleb Wasonga) is on the team there now. He's been giving me some good reports. I want to go down and see the physicality and how they interaction as a team. I'm interested in that."

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Wasonga said he holds scholarship offers from Pittsburgh, Maryland, West Virginia, Bowling Green and Ohio, in addition to Marshall. He's also "on the boards" of Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State.

His father, Willis Wasonga, is an Ohio State graduate.

"It's a slow process," Allan Wasonga said. "I need to get out and take my official visits. It's going to heat up this summer, hopefully."

Tom Hindman Parkersburg High School running back Allan Wasonga (5) passes quarterback Derek Wenzel in the Big Reds' 28-20 loss to George Washington on Friday at UC Stadium. Wasonga transferred to the Wood County school from Point Pleasant this year.Advertiser Wasonga observed a Marshall spring practice two weeks ago and came away impressed.

"I got to watch how they do things and get a feel for the tempo and speed of things," he said. "It's just a totally different level. Marshall's definitely one of the teams that have stuck out for me. Knowing Doc Holliday, just the way the guy is, I understand where he's coming from and what they are trying to do. We are definitely on the same page."

Wasonga rushed for 2,203 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior at Parkersburg. He's bringing one of his top blockers with him to Huntington for the spring game.

Johnson, the younger brother of WVU offensive lineman Josh Jenkins, is 6-3 and 288 pounds. He has offers from both in-state FBS programs.

Other prep stars visiting are DeMatha Catholic teammates Darian Cooper and Elbie Williams. Cooper is a linebacker with offers from East Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Penn State and UCLA.

Mark Szott, a tight end from Waubonsie Valley High School in Illinois; Cortez Carter, a linebacker from Liberty High School in Virginia; and Brandon Spitzer, a linebacker from St. Anne's-Bellfield in Virginia, will also be in attendance.

A group of 2010 signees will also take in the action: Anthony Fletcher, Justin Haig, Joe Johnson, Jazz King, Josh Lovell, Brian Robinson, T.J. Ross, A.J. Scott and Malcolm Strong.

The Green-White spring game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Contact sportswriter Chuck McGill at chuck.mcg...@dailymail.com

Strength coach lays down rules

ANTHONY HANSHEW

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- By definition, strength and conditioning coaches focus on the physical, fine-tuning student-athletes for the coming season.

Frank Piraino, the Thundering Herd's first-year strength and conditioning coach under new head coach Doc Holliday, is overseeing workouts during the oxymoron that is the "offseason" leading to spring practice.

Marshall players are working out six days a week under Piraino, hired by Holliday from the University of Florida. NCAA rules prohibit head coaches and full-times assistants from overseeing such workouts, leaving this time to Piraino.

"During this first semester we want to establish work habits," Piraino said. "Building strength and bulk takes a back seat to accountability and to the rules of establishing a work ethic.

"That being said, getting stronger and faster is a by-product of that."

NCAA Division I-A programs are allowed eight hours a week of supervised offseason workouts, and Piraino has adopted a dual approach. Certainly, weight-room time takes precedence, but players also are working on their individual games entering the start of spring drills.

"We're working on competition," Piraino said. "Wide receivers are working against defensive backs. Offensive linemen are working against defensive linemen. Linebackers and running backs are working together.

"We want to develop winners."

That approach has been compromised in recent weeks by persistent foul weather. Without an indoor facility, it's admittedly difficult to conduct true football drills.

"It's a huge challenge trying to get outside once a week," Piraino said. "We were fortunate to get out on the first Wednesday, but it's been cold and (the snow) won't stop."

Snowfall has served as quite the culture shock for a strength coach who previously oversaw Florida's baseball program and aided in football conditioning in Gainesville, Fla. He laughs off challenges from the elements, however, eyeing the bottom line.

"It's been a lot of fun with the change of scenery," he said. "Everything is very organized and the beauty of it is that I worked with Doc for four years (at Florida) and we're doing what we did for four years. There's a lot of emphasis on the offseason and that's made it a smooth transition in that sense."

Still, Piraino understands well attention to detail during the coming months. Holliday conducts his first Green-White Game on April 24.

"This is a critical time because this is our first spring," he said. "We need to see what we've got here and we can't come in to spring practice out of shape. We've got 25 days (of spring practice) to see what we've got and we can't get guys injured. If they're out of shape, they're going to get injured."

Largely off-limits from players, Holliday and his coaching staff acquiesce offseason evaluations to Piraino prior to spring practice. Thus far, the veteran strength coach has been impressed.

"I'm not that familiar with Conference USA, but having been at Michigan State and Florida, we have a lot more talent that I thought coming in," he said. "We've got a lot of size and speed and the guys have responded well.

"I've talked to coach Holliday and he's said the same. They're responding well."

Marshall University 2010 Football commitments rundown

SIGNED LETTER OF INTENT

Pos Stars Ht Wt 40 RR Enrolled Hometown

Trevor Black LB 6-4 200 - 5.7 Chatham, VA

Antwon Chisholm ATH 5-9 175 4.45 5.7 Belle Glade, FL

Zach Dunston ATH 6-1 188 - 5.5 Virginia Beach, VA

Demetrius Evans WR 6-0 180 - 5.2 Belle Glade, FL

Mike Fleurizard DT 6-4 285 - 5.4 West Palm Beach, FL

Stefone Grace WR 6-5 180 4.48 5.2 Cincinnati, OH

Justin Haig K 5-10 180 - 5.2 Delray Beach, FL

Chris Head TE 6-5 205 4.79 5.4 Jackson, GA

Harold Hoskins DB 6-2 200 - 5.2 Gainesville, FL

Joe Johnson DB 5-11 173 4.64 5.5 New Smyrna Beach, FL

Jermaine Kelson ATH 5-8 170 - 5.4 Miami, FL

Jazz King WR 5-11 180 4.5 5.6 Duncan, SC

Josh Lovell OL 6-6 266 4.9 5.6 Christchurch, VA

Rashawde Meyers DE 6-3 215 - 5.4 Cocoa, FL

Fred Pickett WR 5-9 165 4.52 5.6 Pahokee, FL

James Power TE 6-4 225 4.75 5.3 Myrtle Beach, SC

Randy Richards OL 6-4 310 5.3 5.4 Visalia, CA

Darryl Roberts DB 5-11 155 - 5.2 Lakeland, FL

Brian Robinson DB 6-0 180 - 5.8 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

T.J. Ross LB 6-0 215 4.5 5.4 Durham, NC

A.J. Scott DE 6-5 272 4.93 5.4 Staunton, VA

Garrett Scott OL 6-4 270 5.3 5.4 Douglas, GA

Brandon Sparrow DT 6-4 270 4.8 5.2 Bedford, VA

Malcolm Strong DE 6-4 230 4.7 5.4 Stone Mountain, GA

Ed Sullivan QB 6-2 195 - 5.5 Boca Raton, FL

COMMITTED/UNSIGNED Pos Stars Ht Wt 40 RR Video Enrolled Hometown

Darien Moody DE 6-3 226 4.86 5.3 Gahanna, OH

Raheem Waiters WR 6-2 188 4.5 5.1 Belle, WV

Marshall signee capsules Here are the biographies on Marshall's announced signings, as released by MU's sports communications department: Advertiser Here are the biographies on Marshall's announced signings, as released by MU's sports communications department:

Trevor Black, LB, 6-4, 200, Hargrave Military Academy/Charlotte, N.C.: Enrolled at Marshall in January and will take part in spring practice . . . ranked as the No. 21 prep school player in the country by Rivals . . . was a standout performer at West Mecklenburg High in Charlotte before playing at Hargrave Military Academy. . . rated as a three-star recruit by both Rivals and Scout . . . recorded 143 tackles and two interceptions as a senior at West Mecklenburg en route to being named Queen City Player of the Year . . . chose Marshall over South Carolina, Virginia Tech and Tennessee, among others.

Antwon Chisholm, RB, 5-9, 175, Glades Central, Belle Glade, Fla.: Helped the Raiders to a 13-1 record and a berth in the Florida Class 2A state championship this past season . . . rated three stars and one of the top athlete prospects in the nation by several recruiting services . . . rushed for 529 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior . . . followed that with 307 rushing yards and five TDs to go with 12 receptions for 152 yards and two receiving scores as a senior . . . also a standout on special teams . . . earned all-area and all-conference honors . . . also recruited by Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Rutgers, Southern Miss and West Virginia.

Zach Dunston, DB, 6-1, 188, Green Run, Virginia Beach, Va.: Recorded five interceptions and caught five touchdown passes as a senior captain . . . totaled 12 career interceptions in his prep career to go along with 864 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, with two punt returns for touchdowns . . . named first-team All-Beach District . . . rated three stars by Rivals . . . chose Marshall over offers from Louisville, Maryland, Temple, Tennessee and Kent State.

Demetrius Evans, WR, 6-2, 180, Glades Central, Belle Glade, Fla.: Team registered a 13-1 record and a berth to the Florida Class 2A state championship game . . . hauled in 23 passes for 434 yards and six touchdowns this past season . . . also recruited by Central Michigan, Middle Tennessee State and Florida International.

Mike Fleurizard, DT, 6-4, 285, Dwyer, West Palm Beach, Fla.: Team posted a 14-4 record and captured the Florida Class 4A state championship this past season . . . totaled 50 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior while earning second-team All-Palm Beach County . . . also recruited by UCF, Eastern Michigan and Iowa State, among others.

Stefone Grace, ATH 6-5, 190, North College Hill, Cincinnati, Ohio: A standout wide receiver at North College Hill . . . an all-district selection . . . also played basketball and ran track . . . holds the North College Hill school record in the 200-meters with a time of 21.8 seconds . . . first-team all-conference, all-city and honorable mention Division 4 Southwest Ohio as a senior . . . helped North College Hill to a 10-1 record.

Justin Haig, K, 5-10, 180, American Heritage, Delray Beach, Fla.: Was one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award that honors the top high school kicker in Palm Beach County following his senior year . . . the All-Palm Beach County selection made 4-of-5 field goal attempts, including a season-long 49-yarder . . . he was 60-of-63 on PATs and tallied 45 touchbacks on kickoffs in 2009 . . . also averaged 36.8 yards per punt . . . team won the Florida Class 1A state championship . . . also recruited by West Virginia.

Chris Head, TE, 6-5 205, Jackson, Jackson, Ga.: Recorded 43 receptions for 510 yards and five touchdowns as a senior while earning first-team all-conference honors . . . also excelled in basketball, earning all-conference accolades . . . chose Marshall over Toledo, among others.

Harold "Gator" Hoskins, WR, 6-2, 200, Eastside, Gainesville, Fla.: Earned all-area and all-state honors in both 2008 and 2009 and was a 2009 North Florida All-Star . . . passed for 1,977 yards and 10 touchdowns and carried the ball 114 times for 516 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior . . . passed for 2,477 yards and 25 scores in his career, while rushing for more than 1,177 yards and 22 touchdowns . . . also recruited by Kentucky, South Florida, Middle Tennessee, Tulane, and Ohio among others.

Joe Johnson, DB, 5-11, 173, New Smyrna Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.: Credited with 85 tackles, six interceptions and 19 pass breakups during his senior year . . . rated as one of the top safety prospects in the country by several recruiting services . . . rated three stars by Rivals . . . also recruited by South Florida and Western Michigan, among others.

Jermaine Kelson, ATH, 5-8 170, Southridge, Miami, Fla.: Was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country . . . helped his team to a 10-1 record as a senior . . . also recruited by Central Michigan and Mississippi State, among others.

Isaiah "Jazz" King, WR, 5-11, 180, Byrnes, Duncan, S.C.: Helped Byrnes to a berth in the state title game as a senior . . . caught 45 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning all-area accolades . . . participated in the 2010 Max Emfinger All-American Bowl . . . recorded nine catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns against No. 1-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) last season . . . rated three stars by most recruiting services . . . chose Marshall over Kansas, Ole Miss and North Carolina.

Josh Lovell, OL, 6-6, 266, Christchurch Christchurch, Va.: An all-state selection on the offensive line . . . as a senior caught 10 passes for 241 yards and four scores and recorded 40 tackles and three sacks with an interception on defense . . . in his career caught 86 passes for 1,246 yards and recorded 122 tackles and 10 sacks . . . rated three stars by most recruiting services . . . chose Marshall over East Carolina, Maryland, South Carolina and West Virginia.

Ra'Shawde Myers, DE, 6-4, 215, Cocoa, Cocoa, Fla.: Totaled 58 tackles and 12 sacks as a senior . . . earned all-district, All-Space Coast Conference, All-Cape Coast Conference and all-state honors . . . recorded 101 tackles, 15 sacks and three fumble recoveries in his prep career . . . also recruited by Colorado State, East Carolina and Middle Tennessee among others.

Fred Pickett, WR, 5-9, 165, Pahokee, Pahokee, Fla.: As a senior, recorded 1,381 rushing yards, 507 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns for perennial Florida high school power Pahokee while earning all-area and all-conference honors . . . rated three stars by most recruiting services and is ranked as one of the top 100 receivers in the nation by Rivals . . . chose Marshall over Florida State and West Virginia among others.

James Power, LS/TE, 6-4, 225, Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, S.C.: A standout long snapper who was offered a scholarship following his outstanding performance in Marshall's summer camp . . . enrolled in January and will take part in spring drills . . . handled long-snapping duties and played both tight end and along the offensive line during his high school career . . . his brother Andrew will be a redshirt freshman tight end at South Carolina this fall . . . also received recruiting interest from South Carolina, North Carolina and North Carolina State, among others.

Randy Richards, OL 6-4, 310, College of the Sequoias (Calif.), Royal Palm Beach, Fla.: Played his high school football at Royal Palm Beach High in Florida . . . will have three years to expend his final two years of eligibility . . . was a three-sport athlete (football, wrestling and basketball) in high school . . . chose Marshall over Arkansas and New Mexico State.

Darryl Roberts, DB, 5-11, 154, Lakeland, Lakeland, Fla.: Credited with 59 tackles, 44 solo and two interceptions as a senior . . . registered 96 tackles, five interceptions, 20 pass breakups and blocked a field goal in his prep career . . . earned second-team all-county honors and Lakeland's best DB Award as a senior . . . also recruited by Purdue, Texas Tech, Kansas State and North Carolina.

Brian Robinson, DB, 6-0, 180, St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: Helped St. Thomas Aquinas to a 13-1 record as a senior and a state title as a junior and sophomore . . . recorded 21 solo tackles with 23 assists and nine tackles for loss while breaking up six passes in nine games . . . recorded 46 solo stops, 19 assists, 7.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups as a junior . . . earned all-county honors in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and was an honorable mention all-state pick in 2008 . . . rated four stars by Rivals and most recruiting services . . . Rivals ranks him as the No. 23 safety in the nation . . . chose Marshall over Miami (Fla.), Ole Miss, South Florida, New Mexico, Rutgers, Tennessee and Wake Forest.

T.J. Ross, LB, 6-0, 215, Southern Durham, Durham, N.C.: An All-Pack 6 selection and defensive back of the year at Class 4A Southern Durham . . . a North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl All-Star selection . . . recorded six tackles in the Shrine Bowl All-Star game . . . also recruited by Duke and Wake Forest, among others.

A.J. Scott, OL, 6-5, 272, Robert E. Lee, Staunton, Va.: A first-team all-state (AP and coaches) and all-region performer . . . graded out at 82 percent for the season with 42 knockdowns in 12 games . . . also recorded 22 tackles and two sacks on defense . . . registered 101 knockdowns in his high school career (36 games) . . . earned all-district honors and was selected to play in the Northeast Classic . . . a three-year starter and senior captain . . . chose Marshall over Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia, among others.

Garrett Scott, OL, 6-4, 270, Coffee County, Douglas, Ga.: A three-year starter on the offensive line for Coffee County . . . graded out at 81 percent for his career and earned all-region honors as a junior and a senior . . . a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track) . . . also recruited by UAB, Troy, Jacksonville State, Arkansas State and Western Kentucky.

Brandon Sparrow, DE, 6-4, 270, Liberty, Bedford, Va.: A 2009 first-team all-region selection . . . recorded 71 tackles, 11 for a loss, and five sacks in 2009 en route to first-team all-district and region honors . . . earned second-team all-region honors in 2008 . . . recorded 151 tackles, 16 sacks and 22 tackles for loss in his high school career . . . chose Marshall over Ohio and Liberty.

Malcolm Strong, DE, 6-4, 230, Stephenson, Stone Mountain, Ga.: Helped Stephenson to a 10-1 record as a senior . . . scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the GACA North/South All-Star game . . . chose Marshall over Illinois, Louisville and Troy among others.

Eddie Sullivan, QB, 6-2, 195, Boca Raton, Boca Raton, Fla.: A standout dual-threat quarterback at Boca Raton High . . . threw for nearly 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 294 yards and five scores as a senior . . . a first-team all-area and all-conference pick . . . rated three stars by most recruiting services and as one of the top quarterbacks in Florida . . . named his team's MVP in the Outback High School All-Star game . . . chose Marshall over Wake Forest, Iowa State, Kansas State, Southern Miss and Tennessee, among others.