Marvin "Doc" Utecht of O’Donnell graduated in 1970 as a four-year basketball letterman (1965-1969), a two-year track letterman (1969-1970) and lettered on the football team in 1969. He played basketball for Coach Glen Whitis and was an integral player on some of the most recognized teams in HPU history. The 6'7" athlete was known for his shooting and leaping ability. During his career, the Yellow Jackets won the Lone Star Conference basketball championship and were nationally ranked in the NAIA. After completing his basketball eligibility, Utecht joined the track team for the 1969 season, competing in javelin, hurdles and jumping events. He set the HPU record in the javelin and in the 440-yard intermediate hurdles with a time of 52.3. At the 1970 NAIA track championships, he competed  in the 10-event decathlon, finishing fourth, just behind eventual Olympic champion Bruce Jenner. In that meet, he broke a NAIA decathlon record in the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 14.8. He then joined the football team during his fifth year at Howard Payne, playing wide receiver. Utecht served as a teacher, administrator and an assistant superintendent at several Texas school districts in Texas and coached high school football, basketball, track and golf.