But Magnolia High School was fortunate to have just such an alumnus.

Neill Marshall, a graduate of the class of 1962, has practiced optometry in New Martinsville since 1971 and is the unique individual who has voluntarily served as the announcer for Blue Eagle football and both boys and girls basketball since 1981. At the final boys’ basketball game in March of this year he finally retired from his post behind the microphone.

According to Marshall, his assignment to the mic may not have been totally voluntary. Reportedly, his criticism of the Magnolia football announcer back in 1981 reached the ears of the longtime principal who summoned Marshall to his office. There he challenged Marshall to prove he could do a better job by climbing into the press box and taking over the duty. The rest of the story is literally history, some 41 years.

Year in and year out, Marshall was at his post, a familiar voice for the loyal fans of Magnolia and the citizens of New Martinsville. His wife Ann described his love of the high school.

“Though Neill was an ardent fan of WVU and season ticket holder, his commitment to the high school always came first,” she said. “He also loved practicing optometry and would carry spare contact lenses to the games in case one of the players might suddenly need one.

“Family vacations and trips almost always occurred in the summer to avoid conflict with his beloved announcing avocation,” she added. “Loyalty to the students did not end after football and basketball. He could be seen at baseball games, track meets, volleyball and wrestling matches, plays and musicals at the school”.

Marshall literally watched generations of students as they grew up there. The couple’s children and grandchildren could always count on them being in the stands.

There were many highlights during those four decades of Magnolia sports – state football championships in 2010 and 2015, runner-up finishes in 1981, 1982, 1993 and 2008. The boys basketball team won state titles in 2000 and 2003. The girls won the basketball championship title in 2005, having been runner-up in 1983 and 1984. And “The Golden Voice” was always there for the home games, calling the play-by-play, year after year. His is a legacy that will be difficult to match.

Bill Mullett, in reflecting about growing up in New Martinsville, said Marshall embodies the spirit of many in the community who helped its youth succeed in sports.

“There were countless opportunities that parents, friends of our parents, volunteers and others gave to all of us through sports and other activities that added to our lives in immeasurable ways,” Mullett said. “Those folks built our track, started our little league programs, lined our baseball diamonds, drove us to games, taught music lessons, coached our teams, formed our church groups and engaged us in any number of ways. They also formed and officiated our summer basketball leagues. Many of these contributions went unnoticed, unappreciated and certainly our thanks were not shared with those who did so much for us, facilitating our athletics, arts and academic endeavors.

“Neill over the past 41 years represents those contributors,” he added, “as he ‘gave back’ to the young people of New Martinsville and Magnolia High School his gift of time to enrich their experiences representing the school and the community thorough their athletic experiences. The gift of time is one of the greatest gifts that can be given to another person and Ann and Neill have shared their gifts in many ways with the young people of New Martinsville – and beyond, through the Rotary Exchange program with international students.”

Marshall has left a legacy that will be hard to match.

Bill Mullett and Doug Huff contributed to this story.