MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Kerry Marbury, a former West Virginia University football standout considered among the top prep players in state history, has died at 67.
Marbury passed away Sunday morning. While a cause of death was not immediately known, sources close to the family confirmed the death Monday to MetroNews.
Marbury rushed for 1,665 yards and 22 touchdowns over the 1971 and 1972 seasons. He carried the ball 145 times for 890 yards as a sophomore, before rushing for 775 yards on 150 attempts as a junior.
He also set the school’s single-game rushing record with a 291-yard output against Temple, a mark that has since been topped.
Marbury did not stick around for his senior season, electing to turn pro instead. He signed a contract with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, but his football career was over several years later.
Prior to his time at WVU, Marbury was a three-sport athlete at Monongah High School. He made his mark in football, track and basketball.
On the gridiron, Marbury teamed with close friend and current Alabama football coach Nick Saban to lead Monongah to consecutive Class A state championships in 1968 and 1969. He finished with more than 6,000 rushing yards in his prep career, including 402 in a game against Kingwood.
Marbury also claimed high-point honors at the state track meet as a junior and senior.
The Carolina native was later a professor at Fairmont State before retiring.