By Derrick Smith
Every Friday night in the fall, Broadway Street in Drumright, Oklahoma, empties. That’s because nearly every resident can be found at the high school football field, cheering on their beloved Tornadoes. While a win on the scoreboard isn’t always guaranteed, one thing is, Robert Marshall will be there, either in the stands or on the sideline, proudly supporting his alma mater.
A 1976 graduate of Drumright High School, Robert has always had a passion for sports. Although he didn’t suit up as an athlete, he played a vital role as team manager for both the football and varsity boys basketball teams from 1972 to 1975. In 1983, he began sharing that passion with others, covering Drumright sports for The Drumright Gusher. Today, he continues to cover the Tornadoes and more for the Keystone Journal.
Tulsa sports broadcasting legend and Drumright native Don King says the town is lucky to have someone like Robert as a cornerstone of the community.
“Each community needs a person like Robert Marshall,” King said. “And being from Drumright, I’m proud of how he’s covered athletics for the newspaper. If anyone had a question about a particular game or player’s stats over the years, he was the one we called. I’ve been broadcasting high school sports and doing sports talk radio in Tulsa since 1988, and one of my favorite interviews ever was with Rob. A Drumright legend for sure!”
Robert is also a dedicated fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Cowboys, but as his longtime friend Penny Gooch says, Drumright always comes first.
“He truly loves the Tornadoes,” she said. “He keeps up with other teams and players, sure, but if it’s ever a toss-up, Drumright always wins out. He wants to see these kids succeed—in the gym, on the field, wherever they’re competing. He roots for them, worries about them, and believes in them.”
In recognition of his unwavering dedication, Robert was inducted into the Drumright Public Schools Hall of Fame in 2024.
Gene Carroll, who has known Robert for most of his life, says the honor is more than deserved.
“Robert and I are very close—I consider him a brother,” Carroll said. “No one is more deserving of recognition for their contributions to Drumright Athletics and coverage of other schools in the area. He loves the kids—those playing now and those he’s covered in the past. Everywhere he goes in Oklahoma, he’s simply known as ‘Mr. Drumright.’”
