HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall football fans will have multiple opportunities to see the Thundering Herd practice this August.

"We have some of the best fans in the world and I think it is important to give them an opportunity to see the Herd whenever we can," Marshall head coach Mark Snyder said. "We have set aside several practices to allow our fans to watch how we work and build our football team here at the start of camp. We are also going to open up more practices in the following weeks."

Thundering Herd players and coaches will be available for autographs following Media Day activities on Friday, August 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring items (please limit one item per person) to be signed.

The following day (Saturday, August 6), Herd fans are invited to watch Marshall practice from 3:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. at the stadium.

A Choose-A-Seat Day that is being sponsored by Adelphia and Charter Communications is also scheduled for Saturday at the stadium from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Marshall fans who bring in their satellite TV bill and sign up for cable will be given two free Marshall football season tickets courtesy of Adelphia and Charter. In addition to this, fans are encouraged to tailgate and a variety of prizes and awards for the best tailgate will be given away. A children's fun zone with games and activities will also be open in the West Lot of the stadium.

Marshall will practice in pads for the first time on Monday, August 8, and Herd fans are again invited to attend practice from 3:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. The Herd will also conduct another open practice on Saturday, August 13, at 11:30 a.m. that coincides with Marshall's final Choose-A-Seat Event. More open practices will be announced at a later date.

"We have a lot of work to do and it is important for our team and our coaches to keep focused when we practice," Snyder said. "We are working to put a product on the field that all of our fans can be proud of and there are some times where we need to limit access to our facilities. I want to thank all of our fans for their dedication to Marshall football."

Marshall players report for camp on Tuesday and the Thundering Herd will have practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday that are closed to the public.