Huntington, W.Va. (MU SID) - Marshall University athletics and Herald-Dispatch officials announced today that the working press area at Joan C. Edwards Stadium will be named in honor of longtime Herald Dispatch sports journalist Ernie Salvatore.

The following text: The Herald Dispatch welcomes you to the Ernie Salvatore Press box will now greet media members as they exit the elevators on the working press level of the stadium press box. The press area will also be renovated this summer with new wall displays that will depict the history and tradition of both Marshall Football and the print media in West Virginia. The press box will also receive a new paint scheme and other needed functional upgrades.

The surprise announcement was made Tuesday prior to Marshall's first spring football practice.

"What do you want me to say?," an emotional Salvatore said as he addressed members of the media at the press conference just moments after learning about the plans and seeing an artists rendering of the new signage that will grace the main entrance of the working press area. "There have been very few times in my life that I have been speechless...this is great. I have had a great run and I hope it's not quite over. It has been a great run to see this school and what happened to it when I first got here...it was a neglected school, but it was my school and to watch that march of how far it has come not only athletically, but academically...it has been a great ride. Thank you for this."

"This project started months ago, and, I am sure for Bob Marcum (Marshall Director of Athletics) probably years ago. When we were invited to take part in this project we said we would love too," Herald-Dispatch President and Publisher Pat Thompson Frantz said. "We can't think of anything that would be a better tribute for Ernie and we thank Marshall for involving us."

Frantz, along with Herald Dispatch Executive Editor Ed Dawson spoke at the event, along with Marshall Assistant Athletic Director Randy Burnside, who said "I cannot think of a more fitting tribute for someone who has covered Marshall athletics for more than a half century. I want to thank Mr. Marcum and the leadership at the Herald-Dispatch for making this a reality. These renovations will give us one of the finest working press boxes in the country."

Marshall will unveil the changes to the press box with a ribbon cutting ceremony upon its completion later this year.