Rennel Marshall joined Norfolk State Athletics prior to the 2025-26 academic year as the department's inaugural Director of Student-Athlete Well-Being, bringing extensive experience in mental health counseling, student-athlete wellness, and clinical social work. In his role, Marshall leads the department's efforts to promote the mental, emotional, and personal well-being of Norfolk State's student-athletes through comprehensive programming, education, and individualized support.
Marshall develops and oversees wellness initiatives focused on mental health, life skills, leadership, and personal development while serving as the primary advocate for student-athlete well-being within the athletics department. He works collaboratively with sports medicine, academic support, compliance, strength and conditioning, and university counseling services to provide holistic care and resources for Spartan student-athletes. He also coordinates educational workshops, wellness programming, and crisis response efforts while ensuring compliance with NCAA, MEAC, and university policies related to student-athlete welfare.
Prior to joining Norfolk State, Marshall served as Student-Athlete Mental Health and Well-Being Counselor at Old Dominion University, where he provided individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, treatment planning, and mental health programming for Monarch student-athletes. He also supported athletic departments through mandatory mental health training for coaches, served as a speaker at community mental health symposiums, and represented ODU at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Spring Symposium.
Marshall also spent more than four years with the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) as part of its Outpatient Therapy Bridge Program, providing clinical counseling, case management, and therapeutic support for children and families. During his tenure, he developed the YellowHab Academy Program, an initiative designed to equip elementary school students from underserved communities with strategies for empowerment, emotional wellness, and resilience.
An active advocate for mental health awareness, Marshall has delivered presentations and workshops throughout the region on topics including student-athlete mental health, suicide prevention, youth wellness, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in athletics. He has also served on the Youth Sports Mental Health & Wellness Alliance and continues to champion conversations that promote healthy lifestyles and positive mental health outcomes for young people.
A former football student-athlete and team captain at Emory & Henry College, Marshall earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management and Psychology before completing his Master of Science in Social Work at Norfolk State University. His professional philosophy centers on empowering student-athletes to thrive academically, athletically, and personally through compassionate care and proactive wellness support.
