Quite a full day for Mark Snyder and his Marshall University football senior class.

First, practice kicked off at 8 a.m., but their respective Wednesdays began much earlier with meetings, tape sessions with trainers and such. Following a less-than-lively two-hour plus practice, players and coaches broke for lunch.

Less than three hours later, the Thundering Herd again was roaming Joan C. Edwards Stadium for a special teams rehearsal practice lasting nearly two hours.

No rest for the leaders of Marshall football 2008, particularly with the season opener against Illinois State just 10 days away. Immediately following practice No. 2, Snyder and his seniors packed a pair of vans for an evening of mingling in Charleston.

The annual Paint the Capital City Green event, featuring a capacity Embassy Suites crowd and numerous Marshall officials, coaches and student-athletes, afforded a brief break from the persistent grind that is preseason camp.

"It's a relief actually because you have your mind set on football, football, football," senior linebacker Maurice Kitchens said. "It's a relief from the schedule that you have of wake up, football, go to sleep, football, you eat, football.

"Now you get to see fans and talk about other stuff and see other people."

Likewise, Snyder viewed Wednesday night's fund-raiser as an opportunity for his players to briefly break from the football cocoon.

"It's a great venue and that's why I'm taking the seniors," said Snyder entering his fourth season as head coach. "The last couple of years I've taken two or three guys, maybe four, and I'm looking around and I've said 'I wish my team could be here.'

"It's very festive. We're sitting here in our little world here, and we don't know the excitement that's going on out there.

"And that's really our first chance to feel the buzz that's out there."

The Kanawha Valley increasingly is a target area of Marshall marketing efforts. Rather than campaign for season ticket holders and fans against West Virginia University, Snyder said Marshall is offering a message of diplomacy concerning the state's two NCAA Division I-A programs.

"I think our fan base has grown in the Kanawha Valley," Snyder said. "The Big Green has done a good job, and we've got our Charleston Quarterback Club up there.

"Our fan base is growing. And it needs to because that's a populated area.

"A lot of people root for the team up north. And we've been trying to sell the thing that it's OK to root for both. And I think we've been getting that done."

Paint the Capital City Green festivities also underscored the palpable countdown to kickoff surrounding Thundering Herd football.

"It definitely gives you a sense that the season is here," Kitchens said. "Not only is it getting that time out to reach out to the fans or the fans reach out to us, but shoot, it's that time of the year."

LET'S TALK ILLINOIS STATE: Preseason camp somewhat narrows in focus beginning today.

Marshall kicks into Illinois State mode during today's afternoon practice (closed to the public), gradually working its way into full preparations of game week.

"To an extent," Snyder said. "We're still in camp, but there will be some work done for our first opponent.

"It won't be floorboard on the first opponent. We're still going to get some work done."

QB CLUB READY TO PARTY: The 22nd Annual Quarterback Club Membership Party is set for Saturday at the Memorial Student Center's Don Morris Room.

The event begins at 8 p.m. and serves as a primary fundraiser for Thundering Herd football. Cost is $100 per person and includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Santa Cruz will provide musical entertainment and Marshall's coaching staff will be in attendance.

All proceeds benefit the Thundering Herd football program.

The Quarterback Club's opening luncheon for the 2008 season is Tuesday at Pullman Plaza Hotel. Snyder, offensive coordinator John Shannon and defensive coordinator Rick Minter will serve as speakers.

For information, call Edna Justice at 696-6464 or Quarterback Club president Mark George at 690-0602.

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

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