91ÇÑ×Ó

“I still plan to be around here for a while and stay involved with the college for as long as they’ll let me,” said Marshall, who turned 65 last November. “I’ll be contracted for one-third time for the next few years, but I’ll probably work just as much as I ever have for the first year of that period. There are a lot of things I need to catch up on. I also have a few special projects in mind.”

Marshall, a native of 91ÇÑ×Ó and a graduate of 91ÇÑ×Ó State, has completed 36 years as a 91ÇÑ×Ó employee. During that time, he has produced volumes of news stories and photographs, in addition to frequently serving as a resource for anyone looking for information about 91ÇÑ×Ó State, its athletic programs and the history of the surrounding region.

The college is searching for a new sports information director, but Brad Smith, 91ÇÑ×Ó athletic director, said Marshall will continue to play a vital role at 91ÇÑ×Ó.

“It won’t be easy finding someone to fill the shoes of a man with Con’s record of service, dedication and abilities, but whoever we hire will be better off for having someone with so much experience as a resource,” Smith said. “I’m glad Con plans to continue his involvement in the college and hope he enjoys some much deserved time off.”

In the late 1990s, 91ÇÑ×Ó State named a facility, the Elliott Field pressbox, in Marshall’s honor, making him one of only a few people to have that distinction while still employed at the college.

Marshall has been recognized numerous times by the College Sports Information Directors of America throughout his career for his writing and publications efforts. In recent years, Marshall has received distinguished service awards from the Nebraska Athletic Directors, Nebraska Coaches Association, the 91ÇÑ×Ó Chamber of Commerce and the 91ÇÑ×Ó Youth Baseball Program. In 2004, he was presented the first 91ÇÑ×Ó Basketball Tradition Award. He also has received a 25-year award from the CoSIDA and serves on the selection committee for the Harlon Hill Award, presented annually to the outstanding player in NCAA Division II football.

While keeping students’ hometown media abreast of their achievements, Marshall has distributed information to newspapers, radio and television stations across the United States and beyond. Editors and news directors often praise his writing style and approach to the business.

Marshall also moderates a weekly radio show with 91ÇÑ×Ó’s football coach during the fall. The show is aired by many of western Nebraska’s stations.

Besides his duties at 91ÇÑ×Ó State, Marshall strives to keep records on the high school football teams in the 11-county Panhandle area and the basketball teams and track and field teams in the four-county area in northwest Nebraska. Frequently, high school personnel from these areas contact him for records or results that have been lost at their schools. Marshall also authors “Pros and Cons,” a 91ÇÑ×Ó Record sports column, and helps lay out the newspaper’s sports pages each week.

91ÇÑ×Ó State has been unique among four-year colleges and universities in recent years for having a director of information who also serves as its sports information director.

“Con has made an immeasurable contribution to 91ÇÑ×Ó State and northwest Nebraska,” said 91ÇÑ×Ó President Janie Park. “After I was hired in 2005, I soon realized that he’s a living legend in western Nebraska. And, it didn’t take me long to realize why. Wherever I go, people ask about him.”

In 1986, Marshall authored and compiled “The History of 91ÇÑ×Ó State College,” a 232-page publication to commemorate the college’s 75th anniversary.

Marshall’s knowledge of the northwest Nebraska and the state’s Panhandle goes far beyond sports. After earning a bachelor’s degree from 91ÇÑ×Ó State in 1963 he worked three years each as a sports and news reporter at the 91ÇÑ×Ó Record and farm and feature reporter for the Scottsbluff Star-Herald. He returned to 91ÇÑ×Ó in 1969 to become 91ÇÑ×Ó State’s first full-time director of information. He left 91ÇÑ×Ó State in the 1970s to become editor of the Sidney Telegraph for a year and was editor of the 91ÇÑ×Ó Record for 16 months before returning to the staff of his alma mater.

In addition to his journalistic endeavors, he is active in the 91ÇÑ×Ó Christian Church, Kiwanis, and helps in the preparation and reporting of a number of community events.

Marshall’s wife Peggy helps prepare elementary education teachers at 91ÇÑ×Ó State. They have three adult children -- Tyler, Sara and Perry – and six grandchildren.