The History of Marco
By Tamara Endicott
In a small damp room in Old Main's basement, two seniors fell in love and created a baby - a baby buffalo, that is.
Jack and Vause Carlsen, who were editors for the 1954 Chief Justice yearbook developed and introduced the no idea of Marco, the university's mascot.
"We were looking for a way to personalize the yearbook," Jack said. "And I had this idea that if we could create a character on the Thundering Herd, then we could have that character wander through the yearbook.
"That's how it started and then it just seemed logical to call him Marco because it was Marshall College, so he was our version of Marco Polo wandering through the yearbook and visiting different groups."
Marco appeared 21 times in the 1954 yearbook and was illustrated by an artist in the publishing department. He was featured smoking a pipe while reading, sing hymns, playing football, swinging a fraternity paddle and sweating anxiously while knocking on a dean's door.
Marco made his official debut in the fall of 1965. "The Robe," an academic club, allowed its male members to take turns being Marco, setting the precedent for keeping his identity anonymous.
Marco has changed through the years. The crude costume in the 1960's was later changed to Marco in a football uniform, which led to his current look that debuted August 31, 1985.
(This look was changed once again in the summer of 2001, which you see above.)
Marco also enjoyed romance and accolades over the years. Marsha, a female mascot, was introduced in 1973 and the furry couple lasted a few years. Marco won the National Mascot Championship award in 1991. During the 1999 Homecoming festivities, several former Marcos attended a special re-union and exchanged humorous stories from their experiences.
Click to listen to Marshall's Alma Mater.
Click to listen to Marshall's My Home.
