Marvin Burton Cornish, Jr. enters his 11th season with the Bulldogs as the Student-Athlete Development, Engagement & Wellness Coordinator where his main duties (and passion) are cultivating Student-Athlete's personal growth through character development, honing their decision making and leadership skills and coaching them on development of their personal brands. Additionally, he assists with Bulldog Quarterbacks as needed while mentoring Bulldog Student-Athletes pursuing professional careers, transitioning out of sports, those considering civilian and military careers and those whom have graduated seeking guidance in alternative careers or continuing into professional sports.
Cornish also created an interactive and thought provoking lifestyle presentation entitled, "The Four Deterrents of Student-Athletes" that benefited not only Bulldog Student-Athletes but hundreds of parents, coaches and student-athletes through USA Football, schools, universities and youth groups throughout the country. From a literary sense, USA Football enlisted Cornish to write a blog on leadership and he continues to participate as a Player Scout for USA Football Regional and National Development Camps. As a follow-up to previous presentations, the "Bulldog Rookie Symposium" was created; a tradition that continues to date which introduces incoming freshmen to collegiate football as a Bowie State University Bulldog.
In 2020, many Bowie State University Student-Athlete’s athletic careers either came to an end or were put on hold due to COVID-19. As a result, Cornish began the Bulldog Mental Wellness Initiative to educate the Team on mental health support services and resources; as well as work to build advocates in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness in the athletic and African American Communities. To bolster the endeavor, Cornish became trained and certified in Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM) and Psychological First Aid. On the academic side, he partnered with Dr. Marie Brown; Bulldog Academic Enhancement Advisor, to establish the Maryland Xi Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society which is the first and only nonprofit organization created to recognize college Student-Athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition.
In 2013, Cornish joined the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and co-coordinated the First Annual “Bulldog Walk” which featured a student-athlete ice-breaker entitled, “Think Like a Man and Show It…Act Like a Lady and Prove It” which addressed character, behavior on and off the playing field and developing a positive personal brand. The same year, Cornish was named the Bowie State University Athletic Department “Volunteer of the Year”.
A former radio & TV personality, Event Production Specialist for the Executive Office of the President (White House Communications Agency) and Acting Director of Protocol for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Cornish is the second of three generations to graduate from Bowie State (Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications - Radio/TV Broadcasting - '86) and a Master’s Degree in Sports & Entertainment Management ('11) from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida where in 2016, he was a featured Alum on Full Sail University's website.
Cornish is a Professional Member of the Alliance for Social Workers in Sports, a member of the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches, the American Football Coaches Association, the Sports Executives Association, the Black Coaches and Administrators Association and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. An advocate of Servant Leadership, he is the Lead Quarterbacks Coach for Baltimore Ravens Youth Football Clinics, contributed to the book, "Don't Should On Your Kids: Build Their Mental Toughness" by Dr. Rob Bell, was selected as a Faculty Member for the Institute of Personal Player Development by Founder, Dr. Mark Robinson and has partnered as a Mentor to NFL players transitioning from the NFL into careers working with military Veterans via the NFL Players Association's, "The Trust".
A resident of Bowie, Cornish is the proud father of five college graduates; Sierra, Marvin III (Bowie State - '16), Zacary, Brianna and Dominique.
