Jay Martin’s record of service to soccer is unprecedented and a source of great pride to Ohio Wesleyan. He received his B.A. from Springfield College in 1971, lettering in soccer and lacrosse and earning All-America laurels in the latter. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

Early in his career, Jay was director of sport at the Munich, Germany, YMCA, and athletics director at the American International School at Düsseldorf. In Germany, he also played soccer and professional basketball, served on the staff of the Volleyball Pavilion at the 1972 Olympics.

At Ohio Wesleyan, Jay guided the Battling Bishops to the 1998 NCAA Division III championship; his teams have reached the NCAA Division III semifinals 8 times, finishing as national runner-up twice in addition to the 1998 title. Ohio Wesleyan holds the NCAA Division III record with 34 playoff appearances and has recorded 58 playoff victories.

This year, the Bishops extended their unbeaten string in North Coast Athletic Conference competition to a league-record 40 games, winning the conference championship race for the fourth straight season and the 20th time in the 28 seasons of NCAC competition.

Jay also served as the Battling Bishops’ athletics director from 1985-2004. During those 19 years, Ohio Wesleyan won a conference-record six consecutive NCAC all-sports championships from 1988-94.

Beyond coaching, Jay also has served soccer with a term as president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as a 6-year stint on the NCAA Division III selection committee, including 4 years as committee chair. He has been a color analyst of the Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew for 9 seasons. In addition, he took over as editor of the NSCAA’s The Soccer Journal in January, 2003, becoming the publication’s third editor since its establishment in 1950.

Martin has guided his 35 Battling Bishop soccer teams to a 606-115-49 record, and his career winning percentage of .819 ranks ninth all-time.

Martin’s teams have won 12 regional titles, including 9 in the last 15 seasons that the NCAA tournament included a regional format.

Martin’s teams set an NCAA record with 18 consecutive Division III tournament berths from 1978-95 and have won 22 conference crowns.

Martin’s teams have won an unprecedented 19 Stu Parry Awards (recognizing Ohio’s top Division III team each year).

Named Regional Coach of the Year 15 times in his 34 years at Ohio Wesleyan.

Named NSCAA national Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1998.

In 2000, received the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association’s Honor Award, only the fourth time that award was bestowed since the association’s founding in 1949.

Received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Honor Award in 2007.

Was the second college coach to reach the 600-win mark, doing so during his 35th season.

Was the seventh college coach to reach the 500-win mark…none of the 6 coaches that preceded him to the 500-win mark got there faster than Martin, who did so in his 29th season at Ohio Wesleyan…Indiana University’s Jerry Yeagley also recorded his 500th win during his 29th season as a head coach.

Has rank of full professor in Ohio Wesleyan’s physical education department and served as the Battling Bishops’ athletics director from 1985-2004.