Tom Martin

Tom Martin was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2016.

A native of Lancaster, Pa., Martin earned his bachelor’s degree from Davis & Elkins College and both his master’s and doctoral degrees from West Virginia University. He held U.S. Soccer Federation National “A” and “B” coaching licenses and was a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (now United Soccer Coaches) for more than 40 years.

Martin’s coaching and teaching career spanned five decades. He began at Tri-State University (now Trine University) before returning to West Virginia as head men’s soccer coach and associate professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College. His Wesleyan teams won consecutive NAIA national championships in 1984 and 1985, and he was named NAIA/NSCAA National Coach of the Year three times.

In 1986, Martin became head men’s soccer coach at James Madison University and led the program for 29 seasons. His teams compiled a 359-164-58 record, captured five Colonial Athletic Association tournament titles, seven regular season championships, and earned ten NCAA Tournament appearances—including back-to-back quarterfinal runs in 1994 and 1995. Martin was named CAA Coach of the Year five times and concluded his career ranked seventh all-time in career victories among Division I men’s soccer coaches with 478 wins.

Beyond coaching, Martin served as interim director of athletics at JMU from 1998 to 1999 and continued teaching in the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management following his retirement from coaching in 2014. He also served on national committees, selection panels, and as a clinician and staff coach across the country.

Martin died in 2019 at the age of 70.