Johnathan Goddard Fund Update

Entering this weekend and less than three days after being established, the Johnanthan Goddard Bereavement Fund’s goal of $5,000 has been exceeded. Funds are being raised to cover funeral costs of $13,000 for Goddard, Marshall’s former All American defensive end who died in a motorcycle accident last Saturday, and to potentially establish a scholarship in his name. Donations to the Johnathan Goddard Bereavement Fund can be made via PayPal to goddardbereavementfund@suddenlink.net or mailed to The Johnathan Goddard Bereavement Fund, c/o Chase Bank, 1000 5th Ave., Huntington, W.Va., 25701. The response has been overwhelming and a testament to Marshall’s football family taking care of their own.

Johnathan Goddard remembered

I’m simply opening this forum for your thoughts on Johnathan Goddard, an all-time Marshall football great and father of two who died on Father’s Day weekend. The 2004 defensive end All American passed away early Sunday morning following a motorcycle crash in northern Florida. Beyond the obvious (a relentless pass rusher who played biggest in the biggest games), I remember a reserved, shy teen-ager who matured into a confident young man and father. And how about the underclassman who drew a few ill-timed personal fouls into an unquestioned team leader? Great player and a great man from a special family. Truly tragic and he is missed.

Recruiting Part Deux

From the 30-plus scholarship offers extended thus far, it appears that Marshall football’s recruiting board is taking shape. Literally and figuratively, it’s a long way to February’s signing day, but recruiting season is entering a telling phase. With summer camps set to kick off, I invite your thoughts. Ideally, how many early commitments should Marshall secure? Also feel free to share thoughts on players and positions from recent reports in The Herald-Dispatch. Thus far, prospects in the secondary, along the offensive line and from surrounding states have been included in articles.