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News Nuggets, 02.01.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Marshall crash will become film theme

Plans for a movie about the 1970 Marshall University football team plane crash and the recovery that followed at Marshall and in the Huntington, WV, community have been announced.

The crash occurred in bad weather and poor visibility on the return trip from a 17-14 non-conference loss at East Carolina on Nov. 14, 1970. The Thundering Herd and Pirates now compete as members of Conference USA.

Matthew McConaughey will star in the yet-to-be titled Marshall University Football Project. A portion of the film will be shot in and around Huntington as well as on Marshall's campus. Warner Bros. said filming will begin this spring.

"This film is a great opportunity for West Virginia to receive international recognition for the tremendous community spirit and empathy that West Virginians show when faced with tragedy," Governor Joe Manchin said. "Beyond that, it shows our resilience and will to move forward with a courageous spirit."

McConaughey will star as Jack Lengyel, who coached the Thundering Herd football team for four years after the crash that killed 75 people, including 37 players, six coaches, two athletic department staff members, 25 supporters and five aircraft crew.

"We are very pleased that Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are taking this legacy of Marshall University and treating it with the respect and honor that it deserves," Marshall President Stephen J. Kopp said. "Undoubtedly, this story will touch the lives of people across the nation. It is a story that many have thought needed to be told through a major film."

Where possible, Marshall faculty, staff and students will be used as extras in the film, and university theatre and broadcast students may be offered internships.

Memphis soccer faces professional team

The University of Memphis men's soccer team will open its spring schedule against some of the best players in the nation. For the third-straight year, the Tigers travel to Dallas to take on Major League Soccer's FC Dallas on Saturday, Feb. 11. The exhibition will take place on one of the practice fields at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.

Green Wave gets Omaha rings

The Tulane University baseball team has its annual Alumni Game beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Zephyr Field.
Events begin at 11 a.m. with the Old-Timer's Game, and the 2006 team will battle players from the Green Wave's past College World Series teams and professional players starting at 1:30 p.m.

In between games, the members of the 2005 Green Wave baseball team will receive their College World Series rings.

The Green Wave opens the regular season on Friday, Feb. 10, at noon against Texas Christian in the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.

C-USA Basketball Standings, Scores & Schedule

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:45 PM