A graduate of Indiana State University, Dick Martin was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1976 and into the Wabash Valley High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005.
His legacy of high school football coaching continues long after his death in May 1989 at the age of 67. A group of former players joined together and founded the Dick Martin Coaches Award which was established to honor Vigo County coaches, past and present, who exemplify Martin’s qualities and ideals both in and out of the athletic arena.
The plaque, which hangs at Indiana State’s Memorial Stadium, simply reads “Gentleman – Teacher – Motivator – Innovator – Friend”.
A product of Sullivan High School where he was named All-State and All-Wabash Valley, Martin took his football skills to Indiana State where he was the quarterback for Coach Wally Marks. He graduated in 1943.
He spent five years as the football coach at Bicknell (1945-1950) and 17 years at Wiley (1951-1966), posting a record of 113-49-9. Wiley was unbeaten and untied four times during his tenure (1954, 1956, 1961 and 1965).
Martin also coached baseball and golf while also serving as an assistant basketball coach.
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Quarterback for Indiana State football team for Coach Wally Marks
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Coached Wiley High School to four undefeated seasons
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Inducted into Indiana Football Hall of Fame in April 1976)
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Dick Martin Coaches Award established in 1989 to honor Wabash Valley coaches
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Award plaque resides at Memorial Stadium, describing Martin as “Gentleman, Teacher, Motivator, Innovator, Friend.”
