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Martin entered Central State from Pittsburgh in September 1958 on a track and field scholarship. He graduated in June 1963 with dual majors in Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Music Education. While at Central State he served as Student Intramural Director for three years. He created and directed competitive sporting activities for all students in flag football, basketball, softball, track and field, swimming and badminton. At the Midwestern Conference Track and Field Championships held at Central State in 1960, Martin established a new school record in the 100 yard dash, becoming the first Central State Athlete to run under ten (10) seconds. He was also a member of the school record holding sprint medley relay team as well as the 4x100 meter relay team.
After Central State, he was employed by the Dayton Boys Club and then by the VA Medical Center in Dayton where he served as Chief of Recreation Therapy for 28 years. Upon retiring, he accepted the challenge to establish a track and field program at the University of Dayton where he served as Head Track and Field Coach for seven years.
His involvement in track and field has reached the highest level of the sport. He has been on the staff of nine USA Track Teams. He was the Head Coach of a USA Team on six occasions. Locally, he along with CSU Hall of Fame football player David West, started the Northwest Track Club. In 36 years, the club has produced 68 national youth champions, six Olympians and numerous NCAA Champions. Over 200 of the clubs athletes have received track scholarships and participated at the college level. After 51 years, Martin is still very active in the sport. As an official, Martin has overseen events in the Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Conference USA, Big South, MEAC, SWAC, Horizon League and the Atlantic Sun within the NCAA. He continues to serve as referee for the National Youth Championships and the National Junior Olympics.
Martin started and served as Meet Director for the Marauders Track and Field Classic; an event that drew several Big Ten schools and other top Midwest Universities to the CSU Campus. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Martin and his wife of 49 years, Brenda, have four children: LaVonna, a two-time Olympian and 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist; Duane, Lloyd and LeBren.
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