A success at everything he did in life, one of Marshall’s finest coaches and residents was honored with a ceremony that ended with a basketball court being named in his honor on Monday, November 12.
Kevin Hart was a beloved teacher, administrator, coach and motivator in the Marshall Public School District for more than 30 years after starring on the basketball team at and graduating from Missouri Valley College.
Several former MHS students who played basketball for some of Hart’s teams from 1984-94, as well as former Marshall Public Schools’ Superintendent Joe Aull and Athletic Director Charlie Guthrey spoke about what Hart meant to the district, and many of them echoed the same qualities Hart possessed- believing in himself; passion; determination; a positive outlook; and an ability to make other people around him better.
Hart’s son, Brian, gave a moving tribute to his father, who died on July 18 after battling against all odds to try to regain his ability to walk following a traffic accident in which he suffered a severe spinal injury on December 30, 2017.

Brian Hart continued by saying his dad would have said, “It’s not about my deeds; that means nothing. It’s about them right there (pointing to players who will don the Marshall Owls’ jerseys this year and in future years) filling these stands every home game.” Brian continued by saying his father always wanted the best for his students and players.

At the end of the ceremony, Marshall High School Principal Jacob Sirna presented Kevin’s wife, Terri, and the family with a plaque honoring his dedication to the school district. And then the Kevin Hart logo was revealed at two spots on the court of the spic-and-span renovated gymnasium.
You can listen to the entire ceremony here:

Picture by Robert King.