Marshall University and West Virginia University are seeking football games in one anotheròòò½ÊÓƵ™s stadiums.
No, the Thundering Herd and Mountaineers arenòòò½ÊÓƵ™t renewing their series. Marshall and WVU have, however, submitted a combined bid to serve as hosts for the West Virginia high school football state championship games.
The Monongalia County Commission approved a letter to the WVSSAC to propose Marshall and WVU alternate years serving as host for the four-game championships. Marshallòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Joan C. Edwards Stadium and WVUòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Milan Puskar Stadium would be the sites.
The games òòò½ÊÓƵ” known as the Super Six prior to the WVSSACòòò½ÊÓƵ™s recent expansion to four football classes for next season òòò½ÊÓƵ” have been played at Wheeling Island Stadium since 1994.
òòò½ÊÓƵœOur stateòòò½ÊÓƵ™s two flagship universities have pursued a strong partnership to ensure this is a successful event for the WVSSAC, the high school athletes, fans and families, as well as the host communities,òòò½ÊÓƵ the commissioners wrote. òòò½ÊÓƵœThis partnership reflects our athletic departmentsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ dedication to supporting and promoting high school sports in the state of West Virginia.òòò½ÊÓƵ
SSAC executive director David Price said the parties who have bid for the championships will make presentations Wednesday. The SSAC executive board then will conduct site visits.
òòò½ÊÓƵœIòòò½ÊÓƵ™d say in the next two to four weeks weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll make a decision,òòò½ÊÓƵ Price said.
Mike Fragale, executive senior associate athletic director at WVU, and Marshall associate athletic director of communications Grant Traylor both declined comment, citing respect for the bid process.
On Dec. 11 the WVSSAC announced it would accept bids to serve as host for the 2024, 2025 and 2026 games. Those bids were due Friday.
Price said the SSAC has never had so many communities bid for the games. Bluefield also was expected to bid to play the games at Mitchell Stadium.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWheelingòòò½ÊÓƵ™s done an outstanding job with it,òòò½ÊÓƵ Price said. òòò½ÊÓƵœCompetition is good. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s interesting and exciting.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Price said opportunities to host the state volleyball tournament, most recently played in Charleston, and state cheerleading championships, most recently in Huntington, are also up for bid.
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch.
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