Hall of Fame

Marilyn Ralston is a long-time contributor to the Bellevue University Athletic Department and has helped student-athletes with opportunities to realize their academic potential since becoming involved with the department over 30 years ago.

Ralston donates annually to the Marilyn Ralston Book Fund, which helps supply money for textbooks to qualified BU student-athletes.

She can be seen at nearly every Bruin home event and has served as an honorary coach on numerous occasions over the past three decades.

Since becoming involved with BU athletics in the late 1980s, she, along with her late husband Gene, helped raise money for various programs, sell tickets, keep score, sell concessions, and whatever else needed to be done.  Gene attended BU in the 70s & graduated cum laude. He also assisted with the alumni phonathon.  He received the BU alumni achievement award in 2000.

Marilyn had an enjoyment for sports of all kinds, and it shows with her continued involvement and support of the Bruins. It's a great hobby for her.  She is also known by NCAA baseball teams that practice at Roddy Field as the "Gatorade Lady," bringing her coolers of cold drinks for the teams who practice.  

Marilyn grew up on a farm in Oakland, Iowa.  She has one sister and 3 brothers.  She graduated from high school in 1959, then began working as an assistant in a doctor's office.  She married Gene, who was from Westside, Iowa.  He was in the military & stationed at Offutt.  They also spent time in Illinois & Texas before returning to Offutt, where Gene retired & began his career as an insurance underwriter.  

Marilyn has one daughter Debbie, a son-in-law Ron, and two grandchildren Ryne (17) & Kylee (14), who are also very active in sports at Bellevue East High School.  So if you can't find her at BU, she's probably at the high school.