This was posted on one of the Marshall sites (Thank you Biggreenarms) and with out a doubt the greatest sporting event I have ever attended (I was 14). I encourage you to watch the clip (it is only 1:07 seconds). In it you will see large crowd, tuxedos, fight, player quitting, and the floor being stormed.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-61f456t9mU

And soon after WVwho refused to play us in Huntington ever again.

(03-17-2023 11:19 AM)Herd6993 Wrote:  This was posted on one of the Marshall sites (Thank you Biggreenarms) and with out a doubt the greatest sporting event I have ever attended (I was 14). I encourage you to watch the clip (it is only 1:07 seconds). In it you will see large crowd, tuxedos, fight, player quitting, and the floor being stormed.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-61f456t9mU

Ok, I'm intrigued. What is the background to the player walking off the team?

(03-17-2023 12:48 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  Ok, I'm intrigued. What is the background to the player walking off the team?

Tim Austin. Transferred to SoCon rival ETSU after this game/season. Would usually get a warm reception upon entering game, and then booed as you would any opponent.

Austin was a lightly used reserve by WVU's Gale Catlett. When the fight broke out between WVU's Lester Rowe (from Buffalo -- as he was usually introduced) and the Marshall player, Austin was close by and attempted to help in breaking up the melee. Catlett mistakenly thought Austin was joining the fray, and rather than lay into his star Rowe (who started the fight) he used Austin as an example -- grabbing him by the jersey, getting in his face, screaming, and making a general spectacle of himself. Austin naturally got upset and responded by tearing his jersey off, throwing it at Catlett, and marching off the court. There were only a few seconds left in the game (less than a minute IIRC).

Always been curious whether Austin was allowed to travel back with the team to Morgantown.

WVU is 0-5 in Huntington - which is precisely why the game was moved to Charleston (permanently) starting with the 1992 season. WVU lost by double digits in four of the five games (one game was a four point game - but not the game in the video). WVU lost in Huntington in Dec. of each of the following years: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1990. To be fair, starting in 1984, WVU usually won by double digits as well at home (although the 1986 game was a 69-67 final).

FWIW.

(03-17-2023 01:10 PM)Dice Wrote:  

(03-17-2023 12:48 PM)purplesanman Wrote:  Ok, I'm intrigued. What is the background to the player walking off the team?

Tim Austin. Transferred to SoCon rival ETSU after this game/season. Would usually get a warm reception upon entering game, and then booed as you would any opponent.

Austin was a lightly used reserve by WVU's Gale Catlett. When the fight broke out between WVU's Lester Rowe (from Buffalo -- as he was usually introduced) and the Marshall player, Austin was close by and attempted to help in breaking up the melee. Catlett mistakenly thought Austin was joining the fray, and rather than lay into his star Rowe (who started the fight) he used Austin as an example -- grabbing him by the jersey, getting in his face, screaming, and making a general spectacle of himself. Austin naturally got upset and responded by tearing his jersey off, throwing it at Catlett, and marching off the court. There were only a few seconds left in the game (less than a minute IIRC).

Always been curious whether Austin was allowed to travel back with the team to Morgantown.

WVU is 0-5 in Huntington - which is precisely why the game was moved to Charleston (permanently) starting with the 1992 season. WVU lost by double digits in four of the five games (one game was a four point game - but not the game in the video). WVU lost in Huntington in Dec. of each of the following years: 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1990. To be fair, starting in 1984, WVU usually won by double digits as well at home (although the 1986 game was a 69-67 final).

FWIW.

That's great, thanks.

Marshall is nothing if not interesting.

Also,what a baby that WVU player was.

I don't know how I missed this thread ... however, better latte than ever for the carrot wannabees ...



edit: btw, great fk'n story ... I'm still laughing....