| School: Jefferson | Graduation Year: 1972 |
Year Inducted: 2020
Sports Played: Football, Track and Field
High School Honors: 2 Football and 3 Track letters. 7 touchdown receptions as a Senior. On PIL and State championship 440 Relay Teams as a Sophomore. 4th in State in 100-yd dash (9.9) as a Junior. Set school record of 9.7 in 100-yd dash as a Senior. (Didn’t compete at State because of injury).
Post High School Career: 4-year Track letterman at Oregon State University in sprints & relays. 9.6 in 100-yd dash 5th best all-time at OSU. Retired from Union Pacific Railroad after 37 years, 22 as an Engineer. In Master’s running, Marcus was 2nd in the Nation in the 2008 60m dash at age 54 and 7th in the World in the 2011 200m dash (26.94) at age 57; Presently he serves as Senior Pastor at Albina Christian Life Center in Portland and has been Bishop in the Church of God the past 15 years.
Commentary:
To be inducted into the Portland Interscholastic League Hall Of Fame is an amazing and humbling honor. I have been influenced in so many ways by so many people, far too many to mention, but I must a acknowledge a few of them. I however, want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the innate ability and heart to strive to be better; my mother and father, sister and brothers. All thanks to my wife Kaysandra and my children who continue to support me in every endeavor; my coaches and teammates, because if it had not been for them I could not possibly be here. God knows that in my heart, I thank all of my competitors, coaches, and teammates for the limitless love and support that you gave to me.
In moving from California in my freshman year, I know it was God’s providence that led us to Jefferson High School the School of Champions and School of Pride. I was able to acquire those principles and I have lived out these creeds in every aspect of my life! Participating in sports at Jefferson reinforced a lot of the values my parents had taught me. The skills and traits that I learned playing sports have carried over into my everyday life, my career, and my ministry. My opportunity to compete and succeed has shaped my life and this honor, this award fills my heart with joy to know that my work, my skill, and perseverance, and my contribution has been recognized and has allowed my name to be placed amongst all of the men and women of this great Hall.
To my brother Sam Irving who helped me develop my early athletic ability; Bud White, “Bub” Bobby Harris, Tony Williams, my current coach as a USATF athlete, James Johnson, my nemesis Hall of Famer–the late Ricky Eatmon, my quarterback and brother Murray Todd and so many others…thank you from the bottom of my heart!