Hall of Fame
Tough, quick and relentless, Mike Marcks controlled the center of Millersville’s defensive line as an ultra-productive nose guard from 1976-79. Despite tipping the scales at just over 200 pounds, Marcks disrupted opposing offenses like no Marauder that had come before him.
A three-time All-PSAC East First Team selection and an All-America First Team pick as a senior in 1979, Marcks posted statistics that still stand among the best in Millersville history. He ranks third in career tackles to this day. And his play translated to team success. He was an integral part of Millersville’s first PSAC East Championship in 1977, and in 1979, he led the Marauders to their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
A contributor from day one on campus, Marcks totaled 14 tackles, a fumble recovery and picked off a pass as a freshman, but that was a small sample of what was to come for the Allentown, Pa., product. In 1977, he earned the first of three All-PSAC East First Team honors. He recorded the most tackles ever by a Millersville defensive lineman with 103. He changed games with three fumble recoveries and an interception. Those Marauders ran through the East undefeated and reached the PSAC’s “State Game” for the first time.
Marcks backed up his sophomore season with a team-leading 86 tackles, two interceptions and an All-America honorable mention nod as a junior in 1978. As a senior captain in 1979, Marcks helped Millersville to an 8-1 regular season and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. That season was one for the ages as Marcks earned All-America First Team status for his school-record 157 tackles. That was also the first season that sacks became an official statistic, and Marcks piled up an eye-popping 16—a total that still ranks second all-time.
After graduating with a degree in education, Marcks became a teacher, assistant principal and football coach at his alma mater, Dieruff High School. There he served his entire professional career.
