Lehighsports.com

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Chris Marshall ’88 was one of Lehigh University’s most successful and well-respected employees during his time on South Mountain, first in his role as the head Swimming and Diving coach, and later as the Executive Director of the Lehigh University Alumni Association (LUAA).  On Saturday, October 4 Lehigh University and its Athletic Department will honor Marshall with the unveiling of the Marshall Wall of Champions, which will display every Patriot League Champion Marshall coached during his tenure at Lehigh.  The ceremony will take place inside Jacobs Pool, with a reception scheduled for 9:00 AM, followed by the official dedication at 9:15.

"This is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary member of the Lehigh family,” Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett explained.  “Chris Marshall achieved distinction in every stage of his Lehigh experience and embodies as well as anyone I have known the resume and the spirit of a champion.” 

Sterrett went onto say, “His roots in swimming are honored by our Wall of Champions, but so too are his distinguished achievements in other endeavors.  I'm proud of all he has accomplished and really pleased his name will be forever a part of our swimming program."

Chris Marshall graduated from Lehigh in 1988 with a degree in architecture, and began his tenure as the Lehigh men’s and women’s swimming and diving head coach in 1989.  During his 12-year reign, Marshall led the Brown and White to five Patriot League Championships and he earned eight Patriot League Coach of the Year awards.  Marshall mentored 115 Patriot League Champions, 74 All-League honorees and a trio of Patriot League Scholar Athlete of the Year winners.

Rob Herb is the current Lehigh Swimming and Diving head coach.  He offers his thoughts on Marshall’s accomplishments while in the Brown and White.  “Chris Marshall was the benchmark for championship swimming at Lehigh.  His planning and coaching skills brought Lehigh Swimming and Diving to the top of the Patriot League for a long time. He mentored his team to become champions.”

Herb added, “I work every day to reach the level Chris put forth. We are all proud of Lehigh Swimming and Diving, we are proud of all the coaches and swimmers that came before us and we are proud of Chris for all of his dedication and all the heart that he gave to Lehigh.  This wall will remind us that people like Chris, (former head) Coach (Bruce) Gardiner, and all of our Champions did this for Lehigh and so will we.” 

In 2001, Marshall assumed the position of Executive Director of the Lehigh University Alumni Association and during his time, the LUAA earned four CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) awards for alumni programming excellence while, in 2005, Marshall was honored with the Hillman Award for advancing the interests of the University.  Some of Marshall’s other accomplishments include developing a state-of-the-art web site that included an event management system and on-line community, expanding the national and international activities of the Alumni Association, reinvigorating the Alumni-Admissions Outreach program and creating the Association of Student Alumni (ASA) group.

"The Executive Board of LUAA wanted to honor all of Chris's efforts during his time here at Lehigh,” explained Kathy Duggan-Trimble, President of the Lehigh University Alumni Association.  “We discussed many possibilities and felt that the Swimming and Diving program was nearest and dearest to Chris's heart. We contacted Joe Sterrett and decided to partner with Athletics to show Chris our appreciation for everything he has given to Lehigh over the years. We believe the Marshall Wall of Champions is a fitting tribute to Chris."