Marshall press box renamed to honor Salvatore
HUNTINGTON - Marshall University sports information director Randy Burnside on Tuesday announced the school's decision to renovate the football stadium's press box and rename it in honor of legendary sportswriter Ernie Salvatore, a 60-year veteran who began working for the Huntington Advertiser (now the Herald-Dispatch) in 1948.
"I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor," Burnside said.
Salvatore, 87, was overwhelmed with emotion as he spoke to the crowd of Marshall officials, coaches and media at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
"What do you want me to say? This is one of the few times in my life that I'm speechless," Salvatore said. "I'm very grateful. It has been a great run."
An informative and supportive mentor to many young sportswriters throughout his career and even today, Salvatore started to cry, then composed himself and apologized.
"When you are my age, you do that," said Salvatore, who has battled vision problems. "I have had a good run. I hope it isn't quite over. I got this eye straightened out. Maybe I can contribute a few more columns."
Salvatore reflected on his 60-year career, one in which he covered the Thundering Herd's "glory years and lean times." That stretch, of course, included the 1970 plane crash, which killed 75 members and supporters of the football program.
"To watch that march through history (and to see) what it has become, not only athletically but also scholastically and so forth, it has been a heck of a ride," Salvatore said.
