DR. RAYMOND J. MARION ?42

Contributions

As he was known to most students at the College DOC MARION was a fixture on the campus since his arrival in 1935. First as a student, then as a teacher, and then as college historian, he's influenced more people than perhaps anyone in the history of the College.

He is the only man to have coached both basketball and football at the College. He coached the Hounds' basketball team for two games in 1947, their first two games since the sport was reinstated after World War II. Marion later served as an assistant coach and junior varsity coach under George Sherry.

His involvement with athletics began as a student as a member of the basketball team (1938-40) under Coach Ed Skelley. Skelley, at the time, was the youngest head coach of a four-year program in the nation when hired at age 22. Marion still remembers with a chuckle the only point that he'd score in a varsity uniform in 1940. It came against Providence and ?we were trailing by 40 or so. We played a lot of defensive basketball in those years.'

He was also a member and helped to organize the original football team (1939-41)... a 30s example of what later became known as ?club' football as the team played against area sandlot and semi-pro teams. He also served as an assistant football coach under Sherry and Ed Boule (1947 and 1949) at Assumption Prep; head football coach of the Prep (1948); junior varsity basketball coach at the College (1948-49) and finally, assistant football coach under Neil Brophy (1967 69) at the College. He also organized boxing clubs in the late 30s.

Marion, born in Gardner, graduated cum laude from Assumption High (1938), and magna cum laude from Assumption College (1942) with a Bachelor of Arts. He received his Masters from Clark (1947) in American history and international relations and his Ph.D. from Clark (1957) in French history and international relations.

He taught at the College and High School (1946-54) and then moved to the College exclusively when it moved to Salisbury Street. He has taught courses in history, geography, and political science. He was chairperson of the history department (1961-70), chairperson of social sciences (1962-69) and Academic Dean (1971-73).

He is also among the most decorated soldiers from Worcester County having served in the U.S. Marines (1942-46) seeing action in the Pacific theater (1943-45). He took part in the Battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa and won four battle stars, Unit Presidential Citation for Tarawa and the Silver Star for action on Tinian (July 1944).

The College bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Humanities (1973), while the Marion Award, a monetary award presented to the senior with the highest G.P.A., was established in 1985. The Augustinians of the Assumption conferred their prestigious D'Alzon Medal in 1990 for service to the College community.