Hall of Fame
A true Ohio Valley legend, Harold "Ed" Martin was a legendary high school and college athlete who made his mark as an outstanding coach and administrator at West Liberty. A football and basketball standout at Warwood High School, Martin served one year in the U.S. Navy before beginning his collegiate career at nearby Bethany College.
His incredible versatility shone through with the Bison as he was a three-year football and basketball letterman while starring for four straight years on the baseball diamond. He was voted the school's Most Outstanding Athlete at the end of his senior year.
Martin spent several years coaching at the high school level and served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to Bethany as head basketball and track coach in 1955. He led the Bison to a 148-68 record during his 11 seasons, highlighted by a perfect 18-0 mark in 1964. He won three PAC championships in basketball and track before heading down Route 88 to coach multiple sports at West Liberty.
Beginning in 1966, Martin's Hilltopper basketball teams were 34-18 on the hardwood while his tennis and cross country squads won numerous WVIAC and NAIA District 8 championships. Martin followed up his coaching career with an amazing run as athletic director. At the time of his induction, West Liberty had won the WVIAC Commissioner's Cup – awarded to the most successful athletic program in the conference – during 13 of his 19 years as athletic director on the hilltop.
