Walter Martin Receives Leadership Award

Walter Martin receives outstanding Community Leadership Award from Saint Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cranford, NJ at a Gala Luncheon Saturday, November 7th at the Westwood Inn in Garwood, NJ. He has helped and mentored many students into college. During his four years at Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Martin has helped us elevate our sprint program and has assisted with recruiting several top athletes from the State of New Jersey. He has volunteered his time and personal experiences with the intentions of bettering the athletic team according to head men and women’s track and field coach, Simen Hodnett. Mr. Marti n has resided in Linden, New Jersey for the past fifty-four years where he attended the Linden Public School System. He graduated from high school in 1967, where he participated in varsity basketball and football. Walter attended Ranger Junior College in Ranger, Texas from 1967 to 1969, where as a walk-on he became a two–time All American and a Texas State champion on the college track team. Walter was honored with the Ranger Junior College Outstanding Athlete Award.
He later transferred to Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He ran on various relay teams for the University’s legendary Coach Clyde Hart. After Texas in 1971, Walter became a member of the World Class European relay team where they consistently set outstanding times in the 4 x 800 relay race. In 1972, he was invited to compete in the USA Olympic Trails in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, as preparation for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. Walter was employed by the City of Linden as a Recreation Administrator of urban areas for the Department of Recreation and Community Services. He implemented various programs for senior citizens, youth, and adult activities for the past 38 years. He retired in December 2009.
Walter was also employed by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board in Trenton as a fight inspector for World Championship Boxing in  Atlantic City, New Jersey and throughout the tristate area. In the summer of 2010, at the age of 61, Walter played Semi-Pro football for the R.A.F.L. Regional American Football League, the New Jersey Battle football team. This was one of the things written on his bucket list since he didn’t get a chance to play in college.
He enjoys hobbies such as golf and track. Walter currently works with the LIU (Long Island University) Brooklyn’s men and women’s track and field team as a volunteer mentoring coach.
Walter has been a part of various committees, such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee, Linden Even Start Family Advisory Board, Wanda Green Flight #93 Memorial Committee and the New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association. He has received many supportive service awards for various community groups including the Linden Pop Warner football, Girl Scouts of America, the Roselle Branch NAACP in 2009 and the Role Model of the Year Award. He was inducted in the 2008 Linden Athletic Hall of Fame, but of all his accomplishments and honors, Walter is most proud of his family; his wife, Ruth B. Mayer-Martin and daughter Megan C. Martin.