Tom Marshall Returns To MJHS

By: Michael Schilling

On Feb. 11, Mt. Juliet celebrated the return of former pro-basketball player and graduate of MJHS, Tom Marshall. Mt. Juliet began the celebration with a reception where Marshall met some of his classmates and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres. The actual ceremony occurred between the girls' and boys' basketball games. Marshall was led to the middle of the court where he was met with a standing ovation by the crowd who had come to see him.

An announcer then read a list of several awards Marshall has received throughout his successful life. Marshall graduated from MJHS in 1950 where he excelled as an athlete. He went to Western Kentucky University for basketball where he dominated as a 6' 4" forward, winning two All-American Awards. He decided to pursue his basketball career further, and was drafted as the seventh pick in the 1954 NBA draft by the Rochester Royals. After his promising rookie season, he served in the US Army, missing the 1955-56 season. He returned to his NBA career and finished four years in the association, playing one year with the Detroit Pistons.

After his last season as a player, Marshall still was not finished with basketball. He then became coach of the Cincinnati Royals for the team's 1959-60 season.With all his success as a basketball star, Tom Marshall is a prominent name on the list of Mt. Juliet's finest.