Marshall Banks attended Morehead State from 1958-62. He started his collegiate career as a basketball player for the Eagles. Midway through his sophomore season Banks decided he did not want to continue with his basketball career and joined the track and field team.

Banks was the first African-American athlete to receive athletic financial aid from Morehead State. He became an all-conference performer on the track team.

Banks was a member of the Dean’s List all four years at Morehead State. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Banks went on to earn his master’s and Ph. D. from University of Illinois. He returned to MSU to coach both track and field and basketball.

He is currently teaching in the Department of Health at Howard University, where he has been for the last 30 years. The last 20 years he has been the department head.

In March of 2008, Dr. Banks received the Founders Day Award for University Service from Morehead State.