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Our Story

The Marshall Family’s passion for volleyball sparked a community tradition that has grown from backyard games to a beloved grass tournament — Marshall Madness.

The First Serve

Our very first year of Marshall Madness started with 3 courts in the backyard of our old house. Ken Marshall, founder, won the very first tournament ever (kind of iconic).

Riley Marshall is born

Our current day tournament director, Riley Marshall, was born. Ken and Dianna Marshall still carried on the tradition in their old yard where they upgraded to four whole courts!

The Birth of the Madness Menu

From the very beginning until COVID hit, Marshall Madness wasn’t just known for volleyball — it was known for the food. Starting in 2001, we cooked lunch and dinner for every single participant, creating an unforgettable tradition. The infamous cheesy potatoes made their debut and were always the first to disappear. At the heart of it all was Uncle Rob, our dedicated chef, who led a kitchen crew that kept the chaos fueled and full. For nearly 15 years, this tradition brought people together around for the after party leftovers as much as it did for the volleyball! Though the grills quieted during COVID, the memories (and cheesy potato cravings) live on.

A New House, A New Chapter

We moved just a street away to the new Marshall property on Plum Springs, but there was one catch — Ken said we could only make the move if we convinced Dianna we could fit at least 7 courts on the land. Challenge accepted... and the rest is Madness history.

The Era of Keith Jones

Our all time winningest player, Keith Jones, took his first Marshall Madness dub in 2005 where he eventually ended up securing SEVEN championship titles!

The Talent Madness

In 2006, the Marshall Madness Talent Contest was born, and let’s just say—it delivered peak entertainment. The first-ever winner? Stephanie Singleton, who stole the show with a belly flop into a kiddie pool, earning the unanimous win and a permanent spot in Madness history. That year also became infamous for its trampoline injuries, because apparently volleyball, beer, and aerial stunts were a risky combo. It’s one of those stories that Ken and Dianna still laugh about to this day, and a reminder that Marshall Madness has always been more than just volleyball — it’s a full-blown experience.

JoEllen Marshall was born

On February 25, 2009, we welcomed the youngest (and let’s be honest — the favorite) JoEllen Marshall into the world! Now, you’ll find her on the sidelines soaking up all things Marshall Madness as she learns the ropes to one day co-direct the chaos alongside Riley.

Final Year of the Kegs

2011 marked the final chapter of the “free beer” era at Marshall Madness — and let’s just say, we went out with a bang. That year, we had 19 kegs on site… and floated 18 of them in a single day. Word had spread so far that players from Canada made the trip just for the legendary combo of free beer and home-cooked food. It was chaos. It was fun, and it was also when we realized… maybe free beer at a volleyball tournament isn’t the best idea 😅. The kegs may be gone, but the stories (and hangovers) live on.

Ike Foundation Fundraiser

In 2009, we rallied together to raise money for Keith Jones, a beloved player in our community who had been diagnosed with cancer. That year, the “IKE Foundation” was born — named after Keith’s signature serve noise, “IKE!” Keith isn’t just part of our story — he’s tied as the winningest player in Marshall Madness history and continues to play at FUDS to this day. His strength, heart, and love for the game are woven into the legacy of this tournament.

Hope for Harlie Foundation

In 2013, Marshall Madness united to support the Hope for Harlie Foundation, founded to help Harlie Bryant, a brave young athlete from Beaver Dam. Harlie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2011 and went on to become an honorary member of WKU Volleyball through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation That year, our tournament raised important funds for her treatment and celebrated her resilience. She still serves as an inspiration on the team, attending games, cheering from the sidelines, and reminding us all what it really means to fight with heart . We’re proud to have played a part in Harlie’s journey — and honored to carry her spirit with us every year.

This One's For Bud

In 2017, we rallied together for the “This One’s for Bud” fundraiser in memory of Bud Belcher, a beloved member of our Bowling Green community and father within the BRAVO volleyball family, co-founded by Ken and Dianna. His sudden passing left a hole in all our hearts, so we came together to support his widowed wife and two daughters during a time of need. This fundraiser was more than just volleyball—it was about lifting up Bud’s family and honoring his heart, spirit, and love for the game. We miss him dearly, and the way this community showed up is a testament to how deeply his legacy lives on.

#FearLYSS / Remembering Rusty Sanders

In 2018, we cheered as Alyssa Cavanaugh took second place at Marshall Madness—but her spirit left a mark far beyond the court. Alyssa, a Western Kentucky University All‑American, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia shortly after graduating in 2018. Tragically, she passed away on December 25, 2020, at the age of 24, due to complications from her treatment. Alyssa brought pure joy, fierce competitiveness, and unmatched grace to every match—on and off the court. We were honored to have Alyssa compete at Marshall Madness. Her light still shines in our tournament family, and we’ll always cherish the passion she brought to the game. Also, in 2018, we lost a dear friend and valued member of our volleyball community, Rusty Sanders. Rusty was a close friend of Ken's and left a lasting mark with his competitive spirit, boasting one first-place and one second-place finish. To honor his memory, we created the Rusty Bell—a special tradition where we ring the bell at our house in his name. We also raise a giant Red Solo Cup in his honor, a tribute you’ll see Ken carry in our pre-tournament videos. Rusty’s legacy continues to inspire and bring us together every year.

The Legend of Spoons

In 2019, Stuart Sullivan's infamous invention brought chaos to a whole new level with the now-legendary Spoons game — and this year’s chosen one was none other than Jeff Fiorenza, our 2019 tournament winner. Let’s just say... Jeff learned the real meaning of Spoons the hard way 😅 It’s a game that looks innocent on the surface — a simple face-off involving focus, rhythm, and what seems like a harmless silver spoon. But behind the scenes, there’s a twist. Let’s just say the person in the hot seat thinks they’re getting tapped like everyone else... but there’s a little surprise waiting for them 🤫 We won’t spoil it — but if you know, you know. And if you don’t? Sit still, and wait your turn.

The Tradition of Tent City

Since 2020, Tent City has become a beloved tradition right in our yard, where participants from Louisville, KY, and beyond set up camp to be close to the tournament action. This growing community has its own “tent city population,” a dedicated “tent city mayor,” and a spirit that keeps everyone connected. Even during years when the tournament isn’t held on our property, Tent City continues to thrive and bring people together. We’re proud to see this unique gathering grow stronger every year!

The Last Home Dance / Bee Hive Manifesto

Our last year hosting Marshall Madness on the Marshall family property. We maxed out at 17 courts, and there’s truly nothing like winning in the front yard — directly in front of the house where it all began. A perfect ending to an unforgettable era. *PS: Don't forget when Mark Suter ran over a bee hive, including the queen bee, on our second center court. We had to call in the beekeeper and move one of the courts into our neighbors yard. What a great last hoorah for our yard!*

The New Land

Marshall Madness found a new home at Ephram White Park, where we nearly doubled in size with 30 courts. With the addition of food trucks, music, and more space, the tournament evolved into a full-blown community event — bigger, better, and bolder than ever before.

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We can't wait to see what's in store for this year's Madness!