CSC honors Marshall
Longtime sports and feature photographer and writer Con Marshall, best known for his work at Chadron State College and in numerous areas in Nebraska, was presented with the college’s Distinguished Service Award.
Saturday kicked-off with a 9:30 a.m., brunch in the Student Center Ballroom, catered by the college’s Creative Dining Services, followed by various speakers. Alex Helmbrecht, current director of college relations, spoke about filling the shoes of Marshall in 2007 as CSC’s sports information director.
“Replacing a living legend is difficult,” Helmbrecht said.
Throughout the duration of the brunch Marshall’s colleagues and friends acknowledged the impact Marshall has made on the college and the panhandle as a whole. His tireless efforts and involvement in the community have made him an institution in the area.
“Con is cut from a different cloth,” Scott Montgomery, Marshall’s pastor at Chadron Christian Church, said.
Marshall is involved with Chadron Christian Church and helps lead youth group on Wednesday nights.
A short video produced by Larry Miller followed the speakers highlighting Marshall’s family history and childhood in the panhandle; Marshall grew up on a ranch near the Chadron area.
The video featured CSC icons Danny Woodhead and Don Beebe expressing their gratitude for how Marshall’s contributions improved their careers.
Randy Rhine, president of Chadron State College, presented the award to Marshall following the video. Rhine highlighted the awards that Marshall previously received. Marshall was recently inducted into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame; the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame; the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, and received the Chadron Basketball Tradition Award in 2004.
Marshall described the whole situation as “overwhelming”. Marshall thanked everyone who attended and helped him along the way in his career.
“I try to keep on keepin’ on,” Marshall said.
After graduating from CSC in 1963 Marshall worked at The Chadron Record selling advertising for six-eight months before moving to Denver. While in Denver, he worked at a bank for about two weeks before he was called to replace the former news and sports writer, who had moved to another newspaper. He then stayed at The Record for three years before being hired by The Star Herald as the farm and feature writer—a position he held for three years. He also worked at The Sidney Telegraph for one year as the editor. He has been at CSC ever since.
Marshall said when he graduated from CSC he “knew almost nothing about photography.” His first assignment for The Chadron Record was to take photos of his grandfather’s farm sale.
