LEWISTON — Marvin Langley’s run into a hall of fame wasn’t exactly Point A to Point B.

More like the obstacle course in one of those 1970s Superstars competitions. Or in Langley’s specific case, an 80-yard, broken-field touchdown gallop on which the runner actually covers twice that much real estate.

Langley wasn’t even recruited to Western New England College in Springfield, Mass., in part because he spent more time on the trainer’s table than in the huddle his junior and senior seasons at Lewiston High School.

He graduated in 1996, spent a year contemplating his future and decided that “what if?” didn’t suit his vocabulary.

“I made the decision that I needed to do something with my life other than hang around town,” Langley said.

With a strategy that included work and student loans, Langley moved to the city in August 1998 and joined the WNEC football team as a walk-on.

And then he never stopped running. After three years as a starter and nearly a decade later, Langley still owns every major rushing record for the Golden Bears.

They’re his ticket into the school’s Downes Athletic Hall of Fame. Langley will be inducted Friday, Oct. 1 as part of Homecoming weekend.

“It really worked out,” Langley said. “Honestly I just went there to get out of town and get my education and maybe play a little football.”

Just a little.

Langley left with a degree in computer information systems and a list of gridiron accolades a mile long. The two-year captain accumulated 3,401 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns.

With the help of five 100-yard games as a senior, Langley concluded his career with 5,053 all-purpose yards.

He was a Division II and III All-American as a senior, but arguably his junior year was even better. That 2000 season, Langley established school single-game records for rushing yards (296), rushing touchdowns (four), all-purpose yards (331) and longest touchdown reception (79 yards).

Langley reached the end zone 19 times that autumn.

“Sophomore year on it was pretty much all mine. I won the job the first game, had a breakout year and started every game the rest of my career,” Langley said. “And it’s funny, I never had another injury.”

A non-contact knee infirmity easily could have ended Langley’s career in high school.

In the third game of his senior year, Langley tried to elude a Cheverus High School tackler by leaping over him. He landed awkwardly.

“I tore some cartilage. It wasn’t a violent hit or anything,” Langley recalled. “I tried to play in a couple more games. I remember trying to go against Edward Little at the end of the year, and it was like being on peg legs.”

The injury required surgery that Langley’s family couldn’t afford.

Dr. Paul Cain, an orthopedic surgeon from Auburn, performed the procedure for free, according to Langley.

“I never really thought of it that way at the time, but his kindness changed the direction of my life,” Langley said.

After starting his career returning kicks and seeing spot duty on defense, Langley evolved into a two-time New England Football Conference all-star.

Twice as a junior, Langley earned the prestigious Coca-Cola Gold Helmet Award, presented to the New England Division III player of the week.

“I got to go to Harvard for a reception and a dinner to be recognized with all the other winners,” Langley said. “That was nice.”

Langley also joined the lacrosse team as a senior, helping Western New England qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Professional football scouts followed the trail of headlines and honors to Springfield after Langley’s senior year.

That led to a tryout and a subsequent contract offer from the Albany Conquest, then an expansion team in the AF2 (arena football) league.

Langley wrapped up his degree and packed his bags for New York’s state capital before a sudden change of heart.

“At that point it had been 4½ years. The last day before I was supposed to leave for Albany, I decided to come home,” Langley said. “I was homesick. I’d been here all my life. All my family and friends were here. It was the best decision I ever made.”

Langley married another Lewiston athlete, the former Mjae Crowley. The couple has four children, two boys and two girls, ranging in age from five years to nine months.

“I’m all done,” Langley said with a laugh.

But his post-football life and career are still growing. Langley launched his own computer business, Maine IT, out of his Pond Road home. He is a technology consultant to local medical offices.

Even that, as you might expect from a renowned running back, was the result of a decision Langley made on the fly.

“I started as general business and changed to computer information systems,” he said. “I figured business was way too broad and didn’t give me a clear path.”

No problem. On and off the field, Langley has shown a knack for creating his own.

koakes@sunjournal.com

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