About the Thundering Herd: Named after John Marshall, the great Chief Justice of the United States, Marshall Academy was established in 1837 and became a university in 1961. The Thundering Herd mascot is a buffalo, and the university's colors are Kelly green and white. Marco, the Marshall mascot, derives his name from Marshall College, the school's name at the time he became the school mascot. Marshall plays in Conference USA.