Marvin Motley

Marvin Motley C/O 1964: Posthumous Honoree

Marvin Motley was affectionately known as "Mr. Athletic" and "Marvelous Marv" and those are titles that suite him well. He began his athletic career at Franklin Junior High in 1960. While there he competed and excelled on the basketball, track & field and football teams. To this day, he holds the city record with his 9th grade long jump for amazing jump of 21 feet, 9 inches.

Poly High School was next in his line of accomplishments and soon became the place where he contributed to Poly's rich athletic heritage with his own brand of speed, determination and talent. Once in high school, Marv continued competing in both Track & Field and Basketball but it was his Football career as a halfback where he became an integral part of the great team which would make sport’s history and set impressive records within Long Beach, the team was rated the No. 1 prep football team in Southern California.

During his football career at Poly, he was rated No 1 by the Los Angeles Times, awarded 5 Press Telegram Player of the Week awards, and was part of 2 Moore LeagueChampionship wins as well as 2 CIF championships. As the running halfback on the Jackrabbit’s team that was 9-0-1, Motley gobbled up 1,204 yards and averaged 9.4 yards per carry in 10 games and tacked on 19 touchdowns and 22 pass receptions. In addition to that he was also voted best blocker during one season and gained second place for the same feat during another.

The highlight of Marvin’s high school career came in a second round playoff game when he ran for 185 yards, scored four times and caught six passes. As a result of these achievements he was honored by the Long Beach Trojans Club, voted Long Beach Player of the Year in 1963 as a junior, and won two rushing titles in addition to winning the regular-season and Moore League scoring championships.

After graduation and a great sports career at Poly, Marv then moved on to LBCC where he earned All-State and All-American honors as a sophomore running back in 1965. Motley still holds the single-game rushing record of 300 yards and his 2,002 career rushing yards currently ranks him No. 5 all-time.

Marvin was recently inducted into the Long Beach City College Hall of Champions in 2008. From LBCC, Marvin was recruited to USC and awarded a full athletic scholarship until serious injuries prematurely derailed his sport’s career.

While Marvin was immensely impressive as an athlete, it was his character and strong commitment, which made him an inspiration to teammates and the many people who met and worked with him throughout his life.

He attained numerous awards, admiration and relationships due to his solid sense of integrity, values and dedication. Marvin is father to five children and 13 Grandchildren. For all those who love and miss him it is important to convey his character, loyalty and convictions as well; he was not only continuously devoted & available to his friends and family but to strangers as well. For his legacy of athleticism and his strength of character we are proud to induct Marvin Motley into the LB Poly Football Hall of Fame.

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