5/8/2025
(Arlington, WA) Arlington Eagles Girls Basketball Coach Joe Marsh passed away Wednesday, May 7 at the age of 57. His Brother Dan Marsh posted on his Facebook page, “For the past 4 plus years my amazing brother Joe Marsh fought his ass off against a horrible cheating opponent, cancer. They gave him six months then and he pulled out almost 5 years. Yesterday it was time for him to move on to his next journey. I will miss you more than a facebook post can say Til next time big bro! 
Thank you to all of you for your love, support and prayers during this battle. I appreciate all of it.”
The recently inducted Washington State Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer compiled a 236-75 record leading the Eagles to eight Wesco titles, three district championships, placed 6 times at the State Tournament with his two best finishes taking 2nd in 2013 and 2016. Marsh also received all league honors as a player in 1984. He also coached the Arlington’s boys team from 2002-2010.
In his last State Tournament in 2024 his 5th seeded Eagles advanced to the semifinals where they fell short and dropped into the consolation bracket. Coach Marsh rallied his squad as they finished strong with his typical no giving up attitude and effort and beat Bonney lake in a loser out 53-50 and then defeated Everett on Saturday morning 38-33 to secure the 4th place trophy.
Marsh’s impact extends far beyond the confines of the Arlington gym. A statement from Arlington’s Girls Basketball Facebook Page Reads: “Joe’s impact went far beyond wins and championships. He was a mentor, a role model, and a father figure to hundreds of young women who had the privilege of playing for him. His commitment to developing not just skilled athletes, but people of character and resilience, has left an indelible mark on our community.”
Arlington’s Girls Basketball page defined it best in their statement saying, “Coach Marsh exemplified what it meant to be an Eagle”.
Our experience with Coach Marsh was only at State in the Tacoma Dome. But each year we saw him he welcomed us with that big warm smile, his positivity eminated throughout the building. He was very helpful especially to our younger, newer announcers and crew taking valuable minutes prior to each game to talk about his team and give us insights about what we were about to watch.
One or our favorite lines prior to his last 4th place game in which they won and you can view the final 5 minutes in a video below. It was early Saturday morning after losing in the quarterfinals the Eagles came back to win a must on Friday. Now they got a 9:30am start to play for 4th place against 12 seeded Everett. Coach said, “It doesn’t matter when, where or who you play, the point is you GET to play and it’s an opportunity. It’s up to us to take advantage of that opportunity.”
That’s about as best as any coach has said it. It was heart breaking news to see his passing but Coach Marsh has left an impact on the world he chose to be involved in. No doubt he has no idea of just how many kids and players his love, wisdom and caring has touched. We celebrate Coach Marsh with his grieving family and community and know the world is better because he was here. All our love to the Marsh and Arlington Eagle family.
Scorebook Live’s Todd Milles also wrote a piece on Coach Marsh and was deeply personal, touching and a must read. Well done our friend Todd, and our love with you losing such a dear friend. Here’s a link to Todd’s piece on his unlikely friendship with Coach Marsh.
Video of Coach Marsh’s final 90-seconds at the State Tournament in 2024 as the Eagles clinch 4th place
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