Louis Marbut

Ms. Louise Marbut began her teaching career at Anniston High School in 1963. In 1975, she took a teaching and coaching job at The Donoho School.  She is best known for the success of her girls’ athletic teams at Donoho from 1975 through 1992. While at Donoho, Marbut coached basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, tennis, and track, but achieved her greatest success in volleyball. Her teams were state champions five times and runners-up six times with an overall record of 600 wins and only 195 losses.

Marbut made an immediate impact on volleyball in Calhoun County, winning the Calhoun County tournament in 1975. Donoho was also the Calhoun County tournament champion for Marbut in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987, and 1991. The Falcons finished as Calhoun County tournament runner-up under Marbut on five occasions. Thirty-three of Marbut’s players were awarded all-state honors. Twice, Coach Marbut was selected the state volleyball coach of the year.

She was the founding president of the Alabama Volleyball Coaches Association. In 1995 Marbut was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. That same year she received a distinguished service award from Jacksonville State. She received a lifetime achievement award from the Alabama Women’s Sports Foundation in 19 98 and was named alumna of the year by Jacksonville State in 2000. Marbut also holds a master's degree from Jacksonville State in administration and supervision.

written by Joe Estep