Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — After months of pondering, wondering and weighing his options David Marsh finally approached his parents to discuss college.

Graduation had come and gone for the former Steamboat Springs student. But his choice on where he would attend college was still unclear.

"It was his choice," Linda Marsh said Friday. "We didn't want to put any pressure on him and in the end I think he made the right decision."

Marsh went to his parents and asked their opinion shortly before he announced that he will attend Iowa-Wesleyan College. He made the announcement official on Friday almost a full two months after graduating from Steamboat Springs High School. The discussion was pretty one-sided, however. It seemed that Marsh had already made up his mind.

The college was always a top choice for David, a standout golfer and basketball player. However, there was a long delay before the announcement, as he juggled a chance to attend a college a little closer to home and give up his chances of playing basketball and golf at the collegiate level.

"I wanted to stay a little closer to home," David said. "But it just didn't happen.

At just 5-foot-9 and 148 pounds, David's size probably a factor in not getting a shot at a bigger in-state college. But Sailors head coach Kelly Meek feels that Iowa-Wesleyan may prove to be a better fit for his former star guard as he enters college ranks.

"It's a good fit for David," Meek said. "I think he has a lot to offer the school and he will get to play almost right away."

David led the Sailors in scoring last season with just over 16 points a game. He also led the team in assists, free-throw percentage and three-point buckets.

His shining moment may have come in a mid-season game against conference rival Glenwood. The Sailors came from behind to win the contest in which David scored 38 points.

"That was definitely a highlight," David said. "That may have been my best game ever."

Last fall, he was the only Sailor golfer to qualify to play in the state tournament. He also played on the squad all four years at Steamboat.

"I'm glad that I will get a chance to continue to play both sports," David said. "It was important in my final decision."

David's dad Doug was happy his son decided attend Iowa-Wesleyan and was happy his son took his time in making the decision.

"To play at the college level is a dream of every high school player," Doug said. "It's great that David will have an opportunity to do that. Plus if he decides that it is just too far away, he is always welcome home."

Meek said David Marsh may have come further than any other player he has ever coached. He went from being an average guard to a team leader in the course of a year through hard work and dedication.

"He was probably one of the most coachable players I ever had," Meek said.

David is the 32nd player from coach Kelly Meek's program to go on to play college basketball.

To reach John F. Russell call 871-4209 or e-mail him at jrussell@amigo.net