Martin was born January 27, 1912 in Sielberick, Austria-Hungary and came to the USA in March of 1921. He was a gifted athlete and a three sport star at Stivers, playing baseball, basketball and football. He won several basketball games with excellent free throw shooting and was Captain his senior year. Marty was selected All-City in both football and basketball. Marty’s fondest memories of Stivers were playing on three state basketball championships under coach Floyd Stahl. He also treasured the memory of the trip to Miami, Florida to play the Miami Stingaree, an undefeated football team in front of 10,000 fans on Christmas Day.
Marty attended the University of Dayton and was a three sport letterman under the great coach Harry Bajaun. Marty was a halfback in football, guard in basketball and outfielder in baseball for the Flyers.
After graduation, Marty played with the K Fitting team which won the National Amateur Championship in 1938.
He worked at NCR in 1937 where he met his future wife, Virginia Ledford. He served in the US Army during WWII and after discharge he toured with the “This is Your Infantry” show that performed at Ohio college football stadiums.
Marty was a coach and teacher at several area schools including Tipp City, Oakwood, New Lebanon, Monroe, Fairview, Belmont and Wilbur Wright where he retired at age 70 in 1982. Marty was inducted into the Dayton Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970. He was employed as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds beginning in 1972.
Marty and wife Virginia were married 56 years, had two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Their son Jerry, died at age 18 while son John and his wife live in Oceanside, California. Marty died on July 1, 2003 at the age of 91.
Picture at left is of Joe Ocaroca, U.D., Marty and Sparkey Anderson.
One of the greatest teachers I ever had. He was my home room teacher at Wilbur Wright 12th grade and I can still remember him saying “Bildge water”! when he did not believe something you said.