Mike Marsh, the longtime athletic director at Manhattan High School, announced his retirement at last week’s USD 383 board meeting.
Marsh’s retirement comes after over 25 years working for the district, and more as a student. He first worked for the district in 2000 as assistant athletics director and administrative assistant at the former MHS East Campus.
He has held his current position since April 2004, shortly after he became assistant principal in 2003 at MHS East.
Marsh moved to Manhattan in 1971 as his dad, Marvin, became the principal at then-Manhattan Junior High. As an athlete, he played quarterback for legendary coach Lew Lane and graduated in 1983. Between his time under center in 1981-82, he led the Indians to a 16-4 record.
After graduating from MHS, he started his college career at Tennessee Tech, before transferring back in state to play football at Coffeyville Community College. He graduated from Northern Alabama, and earned his master’s from Fort Hays State.
“He is Manhattan High,” football coach Joe Schartz, who played for Marsh his junior and senior year at Dodge City, said. “He has been here the majority of his life — and a lot of it’s been devoted to Manhattan High School. Whether as a student, a teacher, coach or administrator — he’s given a big portion of his life to to this institution. He should leave here very proud of what he’s accomplished.”
He will leave USD 383 on July 1, 2026.
Look for a full profile on Marsh from The Mercury in the coming weeks.