Bill Walsh, who chaired the club's Citizen of the Year committee, commended this year's selection while noting the challenge to identify the "best" from among 20 nominations of nine different individuals.

David Marsh, coach of Auburn University’s men and women's swimming teams, is the 2006 recipient of the Auburn Rotary Citizen of the Year honor, which included a Paul Harris Fellowship plus-one pin (March received his first PHF along with the club's Vocation Award two years ago). Marsh's nomination described him as “unbelievable,” “extraordinary,” “tremendous” and “astonishing.” He is probably the most remarkable success story the city and university has had. Marsh swam while a student at Auburn, graduated, went into business and returned to swimming as an assistant coach at AU and Las Vegas. He returned to Auburn as head coach in 1990.

Marsh stated that he arrived at AU’s campus in 1978 as a “punk kid” and attended class only because it allowed him to swim. He also said that he came back to AU from Las Vegas as a “punk coach.” His teams have earned 10 national championships—six men's and four women's titles. He has been named national coach of the year eight times and SEC coach of the year 12 times. Nearly 100 percent of his student athletes graduate. Marsh loves Auburn University and our city and, humbly, stated that others work daily for our community and they deserve the award more than he does. He also said that he is blessed to be a part of our club.

Marsh (center) with Club President Debbie Shaw (left) and Citizen of the Year chair Bill Walsh (right)