Athletic Accomplishments
Marcus Lynn Sanders was born January 10, 1982 to the union of Michael & Sharon (Liddell) Sanders in Ravenna. He has 4 brothers and 2 sisters. He is the grandson of the late James & Mosella (Ransom) Sanders and the late William Liddell; and Deseree (Mitchell) Liddell. Marcus played the position (running back) for the little league, Ravenna Rams from 1990-1994. They lost only 2 games in 5 seasons; and were the first and only team to go to the 1994 Daytona Beach National Championship Game and win the National Title. He played (running back position) football for Brown Middle School his 8th grade year (1995); having an undefeated season. Marcus began his Ravenna High School football career (running back position) in 1996 at age 14; leading the Ravens to their first playoff game appearance his senior year against Akron Buchtel. This was the game that ended his high school football career in the 2nd quarter because of a foot injury; but not before he racked up 124 yards on 8 carries, 15.5 yards a carry and 2 touchdowns in the first half, losing to Buchtel 42-35.
Marcus’s many accomplishments include: High School Basketball 25 Point Club (31 points)-1997; High School Basketball All State Honorable Mention-1997; established 10 Ravenna High School Football Records and currently holds 7-1996-1999; career yards rushing, 6,688 (4th in Ohio, 1999) 1996-1999; career net yards rushing, 7,002 (1996-1999; season yards rushing, 2,341 (1999), season net yards rushing, 2,605 (1999); career TouchDowns, 81 (1996-1999); career Points Scored, 492 (1996-1999); most rushing attempts in a game, 37 (1996). The Ravenna High School Athletic Department officially retired football jersey #20 in his honor October 13, 2000.
His awards include: Ravenna High School Academic Awards (1997-1999); Football 4-Year Letterman (1996-1999); Western Reserve Conference Offensive Player of the Year (1999); All State (1996-1999); Ohio Athletic Offensive Player of the Year, (1999); TouchDown Club of Greater Akron; Player of the Year, (1997); Cleveland TouchDown Club Plain Dealer Player of the Year, (1998); Beacon Journal Portage County Player of the Year (1997); Who’s Who in Sports, one of the Nation’s outstanding athletes in the high school division. (1996-1997), TouchDown Club Of Columbus, and Player of the Year (1999); and Ohio Athletic Player of the year (1999).
Marcus graduated from Ravenna High School in 2000 with a 3.4 G.P.A. He attended the University of Minnesota on a full Football Scholarship from 2000-2001, before transferring to the University of Akron on a full Football Scholarship, 2001-2006. He graduated in May 2006, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Marcus was employed with Enterprise Inc. from 2011-2017. He was the branch manager in Bedford, the largest Enterprise in Ohio other than the airports. He was honored at 5 Elite Events as one of the top performing managers in northern Ohio and 3 Elite Events in 2014 as one of the top performing managers in northern Ohio, while at the Alliance-Salem Branch. He is now employed at Total Quality Logistics in Akron. Marcus married his high school sweetheart, Alicia Goode on June 2nd, 2012 and to that union Marcus Tavien was born. Marcus and his family are members of the United Church of Jesus Christ, Ravenna, pastor Elder James E. Sanders.