Former longtime scorekeeper dies at 89

Michael Marienthal, a former scorer for UCLA men’s basketball, passed away due to heart issues on Wednesday. He was 89. A former Marine, Marienthal retired from the scorekeeper’s table in 1996 after serving for 50 years. He witnessed all 11 of the Bruins’ national championships and was inducted into the UCLA Hall of Fame in 1990.

Marienthal also played football at UCLA and was part of the school’s first Rose Bowl Game appearance in 1943. He then joined the Marines in the midst of World War II, losing his left leg in Okinawa in 1945.

From a 1996 Daily Bruin story:

I lost 29 men that night. I was very lucky to come out of there …. My platoon sergeant gave me his belt and I put a tourniquet on both legs myself. I never went unconscious.

Also a teacher, coach and administrator in LAUSD for 35 years, Marienthal was never paid as a scorekeeper. He told the Daily Bruin that the school offered him compensation, but he wanted to volunteer so the money would go toward students: “I wasn’t a rich man, but I feel that you should try to give your school back something for what they gave you.”

He is survived by Karleen — his wife of 40 years — five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Here’s the full release from UCLA athletics.