Jay Martin Leaves a Legacy of Teamwork, Leadership, Teaching, and Incredible Winning

In 1977, Jimmy Carter was president, disco was king, Luke Skywalker was just a kid from Tatooine in a new hit movie. And Ohio Wesleyan had hired a young, bearded redhead from Massachusetts as its new men's soccer coach.

Forty-seven years, more than 770 soccer wins (plus 104 lacrosse victories), 44 NCAA-tournament appearances, and two national titles later, Jay Martin is retiring from coaching after the 2024 season.

If you want to understand the impact of Jay's coaching and teaching career at OWU, don't just look at the stats. You have to talk with his former players and students. More than the wins and the league titles, they talk about teamwork, friendship, caring, responsibility, and growing up. They talk about a coach who has been a teacher and mentor who changed their lives.

So, to honor and celebrate Jay's legendary career, OWU Magazine asked some of those students and alumni from across the generations to tell us their favorite Jay Martin stories. Together, they paint a remarkable picture. Click the links at the right to read the stories from Jay's former students.

Read Rich Farquhar's Favorite Jay Martin Story

Save the Date & Send Your Support!

Alumni Soccer Game and Retirement Celebration
April 11-12, 2025

Securing the Legacy of OWU Soccer—The Jay Martin Fund

Support the endowment to continue OWU's great men's soccer tradition!
Details at owu.edu/CelebrateJay