(NMB) The University Montana athletic department recently announced the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023, honoring the careers of four of UM’s most successful student athletes and coaches. One of those honorees is former Havre Blue Pony Marc Mariani. The former walk on played for the Griz from 2005 to 2009 and set the single season record for receiving yards, and career records in receiving touchdowns, yards per punt return, punt return TD’s, kick return average and all-purpose yards. Head coach of the Grizzlies Bobby Hauck told New Media Broadcasters what he loved about Mariani.
“One of my favorite things about Marc is, he kind of came out of nowhere, no one knew about him. But if you asked him, Havre is the center of the universe. He still thinks this is where it all happens. So, really love that guy both personally and then as a player. He was really fun to coach. He’s one of those guys that you’d expect coming from this neck of the woods. He didn’t say much he just went to work and earned everything he got. Marc just ended up being one of the all-time great Grizzlies.”-Hauck
Mariani tied a School and Big Sky record for the longest punt return in league history. He was a two-time All-American pick by the Sports network and was named an All-American his Senior year by the Associated Press and The Walter Camp Foundation. He was a two-time first team All-Big Sky Pick. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 7th round, he played six years in the NFL where he earned a place in the Pro Bowl, setting two Pro Bowl Records in 2011 for number of returns and total return yards for a game. Coach Hauck said they are all very proud of Marc.
“Certainly, going on to the NFL and doing all the things he did there, you know, we’re all very proud of him. Proud of that part but I’m also proud of the fact that he’s such a good family guy and be successful in business before it’s all said and done. He’s just a well-rounded good guy and speaks volumes about our program I think that we can produce somebody like Marc.”-Hauck
The Grizzly Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be on Friday October 27th.
Congratulations Marc Mariani on being named to the Grizzly Athletic Hall of Fame.
