John Badgley

The opportunity to coach collegiate golf could not have been more ideal for John Badgley, who spent the past five seasons as the golf coach at Parkersburg South High School, has officially been hired to fill a similar role for the men’s and women’s golf programs at Marietta College.

“An alumni from Marietta College reached out to me if I was interested – at the time I didn’t know because I was still through the high school season,” Badgley said. “Eventually, I looked into it. How many get the opportunity to coach at the next level and not having to move. Staying at home and sleeping in my own bed definitely caught my attention.

“It’s a full-time job, not like being with a high school team for eight weeks. It’s year-round with recruiting, fundraising and working with the team. I am looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge.”

Badgley, who spent 30 years as a basketball official before retiring last year, met with members of the Marietta College golf teams. Currently, the roster consists of 12 men and nine women.

“Coach Badgley is a great hire for Marietta College,” Marietta College Director of Athletics Larry Hiser said. “He is plugged into the regional high school golf community, which will provide him direct access to hundreds of good high school golfers.

“John is known for his public service in Parkersburg and his commitment to education. As a life-long resident of the Mid-Ohio Valley, he has a deep regard for Marietta’s academic mission which will translate into bringing great students into his program. We look forward to his leadership and contributions to our department.”

Badgley is determined to put Marietta College golf into the conversation in terms of the Ohio Athletic Conference and the postseason. He understands the concept of the Division III student-athlete and their purpose for attending their institution of choice.

“You are not able to offer athletic scholarships in Division III – they do stress and put a large importance on academics and the student-athlete,” Badgley said. “The kids I’ve met are impressive. They are there at the school to build their GPA for the major they have declared.

“They are lucky if they can blend in as a good golfer.”

Prior to Marietta College, Badgley felt fortunate to be hired as a golf coach at his alma mater. Among the players who went through his program, Parker Vannoy won the 2023 individual state championship and Cam Fallon was named 2024 Golfer of the Year by the West Virginia Amateur Golf Association.

As a senior at Parkersburg South, Badgley qualified for the state tournament.

“I thoroughly enjoyed coaching at South – I’m thankful because it gave me an opportunity to work with some great kids,” Badgley said. “It’s hard to leave after you have built a program. South has young kids coming up through the program and I hope they continue to want to play.”

The athletic staff at Marietta College is in the process of competing a schedule for the upcoming spring season. The fall portion of the 2025-26 season ended Nov. 3 at the Ohio Northern Polar Bear Classic in Hebron, Ky.

“We play in a tough conference in the OAC,” Badgley said. “Year after year, Otterbein wins conference championships and plays into the postseason. I don’t see why Marietta College can’t compete for OAC championships. I would like to get to that point.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com