Jim Marking, SDSU’s colorful men’s basketball coach in the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the Brookings Hospital at age 85.
Marking came to State in 1960 as an assistant under coach Jim Iverson. The 1963 team won the program’s only national title. Marking became head coach late in the 1964-65 season. He directed the program through the 1973-74 season, compiling a mark of 150-78 while at the helm.
His teams won North Central Conference titles in 1968, ’69, ’70 and ’73. Those teams, as well as the 1971-72 squad, qualified for NCAA postseason play. The 1969-70 squad advanced to the national tournament.
Marking was known for his fierce competitiveness, his animated courtside behavior, and the twinkle in his eyes that accompanied his broad smile.
After leaving SDSU, Marking worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota, retiring in 1987.
Marking was born April 26, 1927, in Parkston and graduated from Parkston High School in 1945. He then enlisted in the Navy, serving until August 1946. He then enrolled at State. In addition to his bachelor’s degree, Marking earned a master’s in physical education in 1959.
While at State he renewed acquaintances with high school friend Carola Koehn. They were married Aug. 22, 1952.
Marking’s numerous awards include being named an SDSU Distinguished Alumnus in 1985.
Survivors include his sister, Theresa (Don) Maxwell, of Mountain View, Calif.; five children, Nancy Johnson, of Sioux Falls, Tom (Cindy), of Porterfield, Wis., Dan (Susan), of Grand Rapids, Minn., Robert, of Brookings, Pam (Marvin), Rathlisberger of Crystal, Minn.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carola in 2011.
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