White River coach Eldon Marshall is the first boys’ basketball recipient of the Larry Luitjens Coach of Influence Award.

The award is named in honor of the late Larry Luitjens, who won a state-record 748 games. He passed away in June of 2023.

Marshall, who got to know Luitjens during his early days of coaching, said the award is extremely meaningful.

“It means a lot. I think it’s a very significant award that they’re doing in honor of Coach Luitjens,” Marshall said. “If you can honor the game of basketball and coaching in his name, because he was such a great coach, for anybody that does achieve that I think it’s very special. I feel humbled beyond belief.”

Marshall’s White River teams have qualified for the State B tournament for 19 consecutive seasons. The Tigers have won four state championships during that period. The veteran coach had a great deal of respect for Luitjens and is honored to win the coaching award.

“It just made me thankful and blessed to even be spoken in the same breath as Coach Luitjens,” Marshall said. “He was someone who did influence big time so many people. I think if you can honor someone in that manner so they can carry it on, then I’ll gladly accept.”

The two men got to know each other when Luitjens was at Custer and Marshall was just beginning his coaching career. Marshall said that Luitjens had a big influence on him.

“He was so open to just talk. I was a young nobody, but he was more than open to talk, and he was very personable,” Marshall said. “You felt like you could ask him anything, for any advice. I did and I have, and he helped me numerous times.”

Marshall will receive the award at halftime of a semifinal game Friday night.

Terry Nelson of Britton-Hecla was the girls’ basketball recipient of the Luitjens award.