Marvin Carley (1960) — Legendary BHS football coach Andy Natowich called Marvin Carley one of the best fullbacks he ever coached. Carley played on the freshman team when he was in 8th grade, then varsity all four years in high school, including the best three-year period in the school’s football history (1957-59) when the Colonels went 23-1 and never lost to a Vermont team. Newspapers called him Brattleboro’s “husky” fullback whose bull-like rushes and fine blocking earned him two all-state selections. Although he only carried the ball 10-12 times per game, he was usually the top ground gainer and his backfield teammates were the recipients of his “tenacious blocking,” including halfback Joey Garafalo, who joined him on the ’58 all-state team. He was an excellent kicker, anchor fullback and strong safety on the ‘59 team that went 8-1, only losing to Keene, New Hampshire.
Carley was also the top low hurdles runner and javelin thrower on the track and field teams from 1957-60, helping the track team win the state championship in 1960. A two-time captain in football and track and class president as a junior and senior, at graduation he was awarded the Stolte Memorial Cup, the Balfour Award and the Sherman Award, giving him a clean sweep of the top awards in BUHS athletics.
A dedicated outdoors enthusiast, he won the Junior division of the Galanes and Sons May trout fishing contest with a 17-inch rainbow trout. Carley was recently recognized as the Vermont Volunteer of the Year by the Vermont Hunter Education Program for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Guilford Sportsman’s Club. Rick Farnham, retired University of Vermont Director of Athletics and BUHS graduate says Marvin was and still is an example of a positive attitude, strong work ethic and initiative.
Marvin’s HOF inductionnslideshow is here: