Favorite Jay Martin Story
Matt Miller '89
New Canaan CT
When you think about Jay and OWU soccer you think of all the wins, you hear about the records the championships, etc., but there is a lot more. Really a lot more.
I think a lot about my time at OWU.
I don't think you fully realize the impact Jay has on you when you are on campus. To me, you really realize when you leave and go through life and feel all the lessons he taught us.
When I first got to OWU my freshman year, my dad had just passed. I showed up a few days late to preseason because of this. But when I got there, I knew I'd found my new home. We had a typical great season that first year but between soccer and adjusting to college I lost some focus in the classroom. After the first system and poor performance. It was uncertain if I would be able to come back.
When I got back in January, Jay pulled me into his office and asked me what I wanted. That I had to work hard. We talk about commitment and being part of team. After our discussion he picked up the phone made appeal for me to be given another chance. Luckily, I was given that chance.
As I think about how different my life would be if I was not given that second chance.
To be able to play the next three seasons. The wins, the loses, friends, classes, the memories, and my amazing wife of almost 30 years. And of course, the lessons from Jay.
Jay did this all the time. He taught us about life, not just how to kick a soccer ball better but about being a better person being part of team and building a culture. It's not that he has coached here for almost 50 years, but the culture he has made and the lessons he has taught us all. He created a bond between everyone who has ever played for him.
You look at top organization or teams and they all have some form of this culture or tradition.
I am still very connected to OWU—a place that means a lot to me. Most of that is because of Jay. This past spring I was back for my 35th reunion. As we left the dorm we were staying in, the current student who checked us in heard we were going to see Jay. She said, "He is my favorite thing about OWU!"
A few of us were lucky enough to have a few beers with Jay and JoAnn. They still are role models to all of us. How lucky we are to still be able to have this after all these years!
Pride and tradition. Forever.