West Liberty, W.Va. - Few Hilltoppers have left a legacy as enduring as Tiffany (Martin) Bailey, one of the most accomplished student-athletes in West Liberty softball history.
A four-year starter from 2002–06, Martin was a driving force behind a golden era for Hilltopper softball, helping lead West Liberty to three WVIAC Tournament championship game appearances. A native of Winfield, W.Va., she etched her name throughout the record book and earned recognition as one of the conference's elite players.
Martin was a rare four-time First-Team All-WVIAC selection and capped her standout career by being named the 2004 WVIAC Softball Player of the Year. Her offensive production was both consistent and explosive, finishing with a .368 career batting average, 250 hits, 31 doubles, 22 triples, and 22 home runs, good for a .575 career slugging percentage. She also crossed the plate a school-record 171 times, a mark that still stands.
Her impact was immediate. As a freshman in 2003, Martin set the program's single-season RBI record with 58, announcing herself as one of the league's premier hitters. She followed that with another record-setting campaign as a junior, scoring 52 runs in 2005, before closing her career with single-season marks for hits (83) and triples (8) during her senior season in 2006.
In recognition of her remarkable career, Martin was inducted into the West Liberty University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
Off the field, Martin excelled academically as a Dental Hygiene major, a foundation she credits as an important part of her personal and professional growth.
Today, Tiffany is a stay-at-home mom to two daughters and continues to pass along her love for the game as an assistant coach for her daughters' travel softball team, carrying on the lessons learned during her time on the hilltop.
When reflecting on her favorite memories at West Liberty, Martin says it's hard to choose just one, but the relationships stand out most.
"I have too many favorite memories of WLU," she shared. "Spending time on and off the softball field with my now lifelong friends would be my favorite."
Her advice to current Hilltoppers comes from experience and perspective:
"Enjoy every moment because there will be a day it's all over. There will be a last to all of your beginnings. Be grateful, work hard, and soak it all in."
Martin also credits longtime head coach Herb Minch as a major influence during her career.
"Herb Minch was very influential as a coach. He pushed us to be our best every practice and game. He cared about our team and our education."
More than records or awards, Martin says being a Hilltopper is something she carries with pride.
"It's a privilege to be an alumna of WLU. Excellent education, but it also played a meaningful role in my personal growth. I will always be proud to be a Hilltopper."
Decades later, Tiffany Martin Bailey's impact remains timeless — a standard of excellence for future generations of Hilltoppers to follow.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.
