Published: April 17, 2008 11:02 pm      

Tickets still available for coaching caravans

HUNTINGTON — For the fourth straight year, Marshall University will begin its Big Green Coaches Tour in Bluefield.

This year’s kickoff event is slated for May 5 at the Mountain View residential center, formerly the Upper Classman, on East Cumberland Road in Bluefield. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with supper set for about 7:15.

Cost for the evening is $30, which helps provide funds to assist Marshall athletic programs and scholarships. Information about which coaches will be present is expected soon.

Making his first complete Coaches Tour will be John Sutherland, the new executive director of the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

To reserve dinner tickets or to get more information, Marshall fans may call the Big Green office toll free at 1-866-443-2310, or cont act Roger Topping by phone or e-mail at (304) 487-2205 or rtopping @ charterbn. com.

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MORGANTOWN — On May 20, West Virginia University fans from Four Seasons Country will get their first opportunity in years to observe head football coach Bill Stewart on their own turf.

The 2008 WVU Coaches Caravan will come to town this year with Stewart as featured speaker. The dinner this year will be held in the Elks Lodge in Bluefield.

Assistants in football and basketball are also expected to join Stewart for the evening. Gary McPherson, former WVU assistant basketball coach and current director of the Mountaineer Athletic Club, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the dinner are $65. Ticket information is available from Jim Ferguson at (304) 325-5752, Dewey Russell at (304) 425-0912, or any member of the dinner committee.

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The annual Virginia Tech Orange & Maroon Tour spotlighting Virginia Tech athletics will visit the region on Monday, at Fincastle Country Club in Bluefield, Va.

Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer and women’s basketball head coach Beth Dunkenberger are the featured speakers.

Both Marshall (May 5) and West Virginia (May 20) will have similar events next month. See more on C-7.