Joseph A. Martin

Joe Martin was inducted into the 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 2021.

A native of Woodsboro, Md., Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from West Virginia University in 1993 and a master’s degree in sport management in 1996. While at WVU, he served as a graduate assistant with the Mountaineer Sports Network and helped develop the basketball television program Mountaineer Jammin’.

In 1996, Martin began his career with NBC Sports as an intern during the Atlanta Olympic Games, later working as a production assistant on NFL and NBA programming. Over the next two decades, he contributed to NBC’s coverage of the NBA Finals, Super Bowl XXXII, Summer and Winter Olympic Games, and a wide range of professional golf tournaments.

Martin became a golf director for NBC Sports and Golf Channel in 2007, directing events such as the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, Ryder Cup, The PLAYERS Championship, FedEx Cup Playoffs, and the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta National. He also directed Olympic broadcasts, including events in London, Rio de Janeiro, Russia, South Korea, and Tokyo. In 2020, he was named NBC Sports’ lead golf director, succeeding Doug Grabert.

His career achievements include directing the Closing Ceremony of the 2021 Olympic Games and earning eight Sports Emmy Awards for his work in golf and Olympic coverage, including recognition for NBC’s broadcast of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.