Memorial game set for Sept. 15
By Greg Seubert
Former New London football coach Randy Marsh will be honored at the Bulldogs’ upcoming game.
The Papa Marsh Memorial Game will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, as the Bulldogs host Winneconne in the Bay Conference opener for both teams.
Marsh passed away in July and began his teaching career at New London High School during the second semester of the 1972-73 school year.
He was a physical education and health teacher from 1973 until 1994 and was also the New London School District’s athletic director from 1989-94.
He later served as the high school’s assistant principal from 1994-97 and principal from 1997 to 2005.
According to his obituary, Marsh encouraged students to be involved in extracurricular activities.
“He was a leader of several clubs and had an incredible influence on the lives of students,” according to his obituary. “Randy was an extremely dedicated coach in football, boys’ basketball, track and field, where he was proud to have coached two state champions in the discus, and wrestling during his tenure at New London High School.”
Marsh was an assistant football coach at New London High School from 1973-78, coached the varsity team from 1979-94 and was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001.
“He forever held a special place in his heart for the players and coaches of the 1984 team, who remain the only undefeated conference team in school history with a 9-0 record,” according to his obituary. “During his coaching career at New London High School, Randy was a part of all four conference championship teams in school history, two as a head coach and two as an assistant coach.”
Marsh had the opportunity to coach the defensive line at St. Norbert College in De Pere from 2001-04 before being promoted to defensive coordinator, a position he held during the 2005 season.
Health concerns forced him to resign and he returned to New London as an assistant coach from 2006-18.
“He cherished the opportunity to work as an assistant coach in New London while his son, Marc, was the head coach,” according to his obituary. “As a football coach, Randy had the innate ability to get the most out of each and every one of his players, probably a little more than each young man believed he had. Teams and position groups led by him were known for toughness, discipline and being fundamentally sound.”