RALEIGH, N.C. – Florida State head coach Mike Martin has been inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday morning. Martin, a native of Charlotte, is entering his 39th season as head coach of the Seminoles and is just 32 wins shy of becoming the winningest coach in college baseball history.
“This is certainly one of the exciting moments in my career to be recognized by my home state of North Carolina,” Martin said. “There are many memories from my time in that great state and I look forward to the induction ceremony in May.”
Martin is part of the 55th class for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1963. The induction banquet will take place Friday, May 4, at the Raleigh Convention Center.
“The achievements of this year’s class of inductees enrich North Carolina’s remarkable sports heritage, and the individuals have certainly earned the honor of joining the 336 men and women who have been previously enshrined,” said Nora Lynn Finch, president of the Hall. “This is our 55th class, and we look forward to celebrating this special time in our state’s sports history.”
Martin was born in Charlotte in 1944, graduating from Garinger High School and playing two years of collegiate baseball at Wingate Junior College from 1963-64. From there, Martin transferred to Florida State for the 1965 season, beginning his relationship with the Seminoles.
After two years as a centerfielder for FSU, Martin spent five years as an assistant coach for the Seminoles from 1975-79 before earning the head coaching position in 1980. Over the past 38 seasons, Martin has compiled a 1,944-694-4 record, coached 16 teams to the College World Series and won 18 conference championships. Showing no signs of slowing down, Martin and the Seminoles won the Atlantic Coast Conference title and reached the College World Series in 2017.
North Carolina will be the second state Hall of Fame for Martin: he was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Martin’s 39th season leading Florida State begins Friday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m. against Xavier on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.
2018 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame Inductees:
Donna Andrews, Golf
Scott Bankhead, Baseball
Hal ‘Skinny’ Brown, Baseball
Chris Cammack, Basball
Joey Cheek, Speed Skating
Wes Chesson, Football
Laura Dupont, Tennis
Mindy Ballou Fitzpatrick, Basketball
Bill Hayes, Football
Jack Holley, Football
Paul Jones, Basketball
Mike Martin, Baseball
Frank ‘Jakie’ May, Baseball
Joe West, Baseball Umpire
Fred Whitfield, Basketball
For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or keep up with the team on social media through Twitter (@FSUBaseball), Facebook (/FSUBaseball), and Instagram (@NoleBaseball).
