Family, loved ones and members of the Saginaw Valley State University community are mourning the death of Eugene Marve, 60, who passed away Monday, May 24 in Michigan following a short hospitalization. Marve was SVSU's first football player to go on to play professionally and helped put the Cardinal football program on the map.
Marve, a Flint native, was a member of the SVSU football team from 1978-81. He was named an NAIA First Team All-American in 1980 and 1981 and selected to the All-GLIAC team in 1979, 1980, and 1981. Marve compiled an impressive list of stats throughout his SVSU career with 299 tackles, 124 of which came in the 1981 season, and nine sacks. Marve was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1982 National Football League (NFL) Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Bills (1982-87), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988-91), and San Diego Chargers (1992).
Following his NFL career, Marve returned to SVSU. In an interview with MLive in 2019, Eugene said he developed academically at SVSU, from starting his freshman year on academic probation due to a low high school GPA to returning to SVSU after his NFL career to complete his bachelor's degree in 1995, majoring in criminal justice.
Marve was inducted into the inaugural class of SVSU Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and into the 27th class of the Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame in 2011. He was a tremendous friend to the SVSU football program serving as a guest speaker at multiple recruitment events, a member of the coaching staff for multiple seasons, and he helped lead and contribute to various fundraising initiatives.
Marve is survived by his wife, Stacey, son, Robert, and daughter, Rebecca.
Quote from teammate Mel Mathews:
"Dear friends are the ones who know our hearts, our minds and choose us as their friends anyway," said Mel Mathews, a former SVSU teammate. "Even when they have passed to the next life, I still feel them encouraging me to be my best self. That's my best friend Eugene Marve."
Quote from teammate Jim Maher:
"At the time, Eugene was one of the best athletes I had ever been associated with," stated James Maher, former SVSU teammate and SVSU executive director of Information Technology Services. "He was a true leader with a tremendous work ethic and great integrity, both on and off the field. He was respectful of all his teammates, no matter their position or place on the team. He had this hallmark smile that would just light up any situation."
Quote from SVSU head football coach Ryan Brady:
"The SVSU Football family is deeply saddened by the passing of Eugene Marve," said SVSU Head Football Coach Ryan Brady. "Eugene is and always will be a dear friend and an all-time great of SVSU Football.
"I feel blessed, fortunate and grateful to have developed such a strong bond and relationship with Eugene in my short time as head football coach at SVSU. I will always remember the inspirational speech he delivered to the team in my first fall camp as head coach. Also, he traveled with the team to Texas and served as team chaplain in my first game and first win at SVSU! I will forever cherish those moments and memories of prayer and football with Eugene.
"The SVSU Football family is praying for his family, friends and loved ones through this difficult time.
"Thank you, Eugene, for all that you have done for so many. May you rest in peace my friend."