The 2026 Marshall County Athletic Hall of Fame inductees have been announced by Marshals Athletics and the Marshall County Athletics Foundation:
Gus Gillespie:
Coach Gillespie served as head coach of the Marshals basketball program for 13 seasons. During this tenure, the Marshals were 293-119, averaging almost 23 wins per season.
In addition to winning eight district championships, Gillespie led the Marshals to five trips to the regional championship game, winning the region in 2011 and 2012. The 2011 team advanced to the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. The next season, 2012, the team set the Marshals program record for most wins in a season with 32.
Stephen Atkinson:
Atkinson was voted to the All Purchase Team in 2010 and 2011, winning the Purchase Player of the Year in 2011. He was Honorable Mention All State in 2011 and earned MVP of the 2011 Boys Region 1 Tournament.
Atkinson ranks 20th on the Marshals All-Time Scoring List with 1,062 points. Following his time at MCHS, Atkinson played four seasons of college basketball at Missouri Southern University.
Benny Goheen:
Goheen was the 1961 Purchase Player of the Year and earned Third Team All State in 1961. He was a member of two regional championship teams at North Marshall, 1959 and 1961. The 1959 team went on to win the state championship.
Goheen ranks ninth on North Marshall's all-time scoring list with 1,007 points. Following his career at NMHS, Goheen played at Murray State and was on their first NCAA ournament team. He played three varsity seasons at MSU, (freshmen weren't allowed to play varsity at that time), scoring 389 points for his career.
Larry Krouse:
Coach Krouse was the second head coach for the Marshall County Football program. Coach Krouse guided the Marshals to their first winning season, finishing 7-4 in 1977. Krouse's 1978 team finished 9-1, tied with the 1998 and 2005 teams for the best regular season record in program history.
His enthusiasm, hard work, and leadership, along with the help of many others, led to the construction of Marshall County's on-campus football stadium, Carroll Traylor Stadium. Coach Krouse left coaching after four seasons with the Marshals to embark on a successful business career.
He later spent 20 seasons as the color commentator and game analyst on WCBL's broadcasts of Marshals Football. Coach Krouse was widely recognized as the finest game analyst in Western Kentucky, and one of the best anywhere in the state.
Barry Faith:
Faith ranks fourth on North Marshall High School's all-time scoring list with 1,194 points. He was voted to the All Purchase Team in both 1968 and 1969, and earned Honorable Mention All State in 1969.
Cayce Hendrickson Griffith:
A 2015 graduate of Marshall County High School, Cayce was one of the most accomplished golfers in Lady Marshals history. She played six years on the girls’ golf team, holding the No. 1 position for five seasons, and helped lead Marshall County to the KHSAA State Tournament in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Cayce captured the 2013 KHSAA Region 1 Individual Championship and recorded a Top-10 finish at the KHSAA State Tournament. She earned medalist honors in 12 high school tournaments and became the first girl’s golfer in Marshall County history to achieve an under-par scoring average, posting a remarkable 34.9 nine-hole average and 71.0 18-hole average.
Her success continued at the collegiate level as a Division I golfer at the University of Missouri. While competing in the SEC, Cayce earned SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition all four years and was named to the WGCA Division I All-Scholar Team in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She traveled on the team’s top 5 for all events in those seasons.
Cayce’s accomplishments extend beyond college golf. She was the runner-up in the 2018 Kentucky Women’s State Amateur Championship and claimed the 2025 Kentucky Women’s Mid-Am State Championship. In 2019, she reached Top 200 in World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Today, Cayce continues to make an impact in our community as a financial advisor with Raymond James in Benton. She serves as Membership Chair for the Benton Women’s Club, co-chair of the Paint the Town Pink Committee, and was voted Outstanding Clubwoman in 2024. She also generously supports Marshall County athletics through sponsorships for soccer, track and field, and our golf programs.
Cole Nelson:
Nelson was the starting point guard on Marshall County's regional championship teams in 2011 and 2012. He was voted Purchase Player of the Year in 2012, MVP of the 2012 Boys Region 1 Tournament and was named Honorable Mention All-State.
Nelson ranks in the top five in Marshals program history in assists and steals. Following his career at Marshall County, Nelson played four years at Bethel University in McKenzie, TN where he scored over 1,000 points and a top ten ranking in program history in assists and steals.
Nelson currently serves as an assistant coach and teacher at Marshall County High School.
Vicki English:
For nearly two decades, Mrs. Vicki has been the driving force behind the Marshall County Athletics Hall of Fame, serving as the lead organizer of the annual event for 19 years with unmatched dedication and attention to detail. Her commitment to preserving and celebrating the proud tradition of Marshall County athletics has helped honor generations of athletes, coaches, and contributors while strengthening the connection between the schools and community.
In addition to her Hall of Fame leadership, Mrs. Vicki has faithfully served as Athletic Secretary for more than 20 years, becoming an indispensable part of Marshall County athletics. Through countless games, seasons, tournaments, and events, she has provided steady leadership, organization, and support to coaches, athletes, administrators, and families alike. Her professionalism, loyalty, and tireless behind-the-scenes work have played a vital role in the success and growth of the athletic program.
As a contributor, Mrs. Vicki's impact reaches far beyond the office. Her passion for Marshall County athletics, her service to students and coaches, and her commitment to honoring the school’s athletic heritage make her truly deserving of induction into the Marshall County Athletics Hall of Fame.
Leah Beth:
Leah Beth was a two-time Purchase Player of the Year, accomplishing the feat in 1998 and 2000. She is one of only four players in the over 50-year history of the award to be named Player of the Year as a sophomore. Although she missed her entire junior season due to injury, Beth came back and helped lead the Lady Marshals to a phenomenal 31-2 record during her senior season. Beth was named 2nd Team All-State as a senior and 3rd Team All-State after her sophomore season in 1998. She ranks 13th on the Lady Marshals’ All-Time scoring list with 1,298 points, despite only playing three varsity seasons.
After finishing her high school career, Beth played college basketball at Western Kentucky University. At WKU, Beth appeared in 92 career games, including 20 starts. The Lady Hilltoppers competed in postseason play during all four seasons of Beth’s career, highlighted by their NCAA Tournament appearance in the 2002-2003 season. WKU compiled a 77-51 record during Beth’s four-year career, including an NCAA tournament appearance and three WNIT appearances, twice reaching the quarterfinals. During Leah Beth’s final two years at WKU, the Lady Hilltoppers were coached by Marshall County legend Mary Taylor Cowles.
We have two teams that will also be inducted into the 2026 Hall of Fame. Please welcome the 1984 girls softball team and the 2011 Marshals basketball team.
Congratulations to the entire 2026 Class of the Marshall County Athletics Hall of Fame! Details on the induction ceremony will be released soon.