HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- It's not almost heaven in Huntington anymore.

The Marshall University Marching Thunder band has dropped "Country Roads'' from its lineup.

Marshall athletics spokesman Randy Burnside says Athletics Director Mike Hamrick requested the move in response to complaints from alumni and Thundering Herd fans.

"Country Roads'' is rival West Virginia University's theme song. According to the WVU alumni website, the John Denver tune has been played at every Mountaineer home football pre-game show since 1972.

Marshall bands director Steve Barnett says Thundering Herd fans will have to wait a few weeks to hear the song's replacement in the halftime show.

Marshall's home football opener is Sept. 10 against WVU.