STEINERT'S DOUG MARTIN - HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026

In the words of his student-athletes and colleagues...

Published 1/23/2026

“Doug Martin always led by example and showed generations of teenagers how to be athletes and adults: practice every day, always shoot for your personal best, and have a sense of humor about the whole thing.”

-Doug Larkin

(Steinert Class of 1988, Member XC State Champs '87, Professor at Montclair State University)

"I had the rare fortune of having Doug Martin as a coach, teacher and mentor for six years. He had the unique ability to teach discipline and hard work through example yet somehow made every workout fun. I am forever grateful the fork in my road led to Doug." 

-Dave Lauer

(Class of 1980, County Champ Relay & Jav) "For me, Mr. Martin was both a coach and mentor who led by example. His dedication to his athletes instilled a hard work ethic, positivity, and a 'never-quit' attitude that contributed immensely to my success as an athlete and in everyday life since."

-Rich Henrie

(Class of 1982, Meet of Champs Winner - Discus)

"His 3 philosophical pillars and their application to sports and life: have fun, no clown injuries, keep your sense of humor. Doug Martin's impact on his athletes cannot be adequately captured by mere words. A sport is a microcosm of life and Doug Martin was the best at linking a strong positive message on how to deal with ups and downs on the track as a model of how to live."

-Tom Porter (Class of 1979, Member of CJ & Mercer XC Champs)

"He pretty much treated everyone like they were his own children. I remember on weekends in the offseason, groups of us would run by his house and he'd be lifting weights in the garage and then go run with us when he finished. During cross country meets you'd be about to the halfway point, make a turn, and there he was out of nowhere, cheering you."

-Wes Rupell

(Class of 1978, Mercer Cross Country Champion '77) "Mr. Martin taught us to be competitive and believe in ourselves, and if we were unsure of our ability, he was going to run along side of us and show us the way.” -Paul DiLouie (Class of 1980, Member of XC County Champs ’78)

"He is a father figure. Someone who will always be there for you no matter what.  No questions asked."

-Aaron Oldfield

(Class of 1988, CJ XC Champ, Head Coach of Hopewell Valley Track & XC)

"Coach Martin was the best! More than a coach, a true mentor and leader. I will be forever grateful for the incredibly positive influence he has been in my life."

-Scott Young

(Class of 1988, State Javelin Champion)

“It is really hard to put into words what Doug has meant to so many of us. The impact he has made on so many of his student-athletes is immeasurable. I, along with so many others absolutely love this man for all the time and energy and positive influences he has made on all our lives.”

-John Johnson

(Class of 1979, Mercer Cross Country Champ)

"Doug Martin has always exemplified what it means to work hard, have honor, and celebrate doing your best. He continues to be a model of that ethos. and anyone who has met him can attest to his influence and integrity... I am forever grateful Doug Martin has been a mentor and a friend!"

"-Steve Zarodnanksy (Class of 1996, former Varsity T&F, Teacher and Coach at SHS)

"There are so many running memories I have about Doug whom I have known since we were in high school... About our XC course in Vets Park... Him running to East Brunswick on the morning of a Saturday invitational... Running, with numerous team members, from Washington Crossing to Bowman's Tower, and doing repeats of the loop at the Tower, then running back to Washington's Crossing." -Ed Connor (SHS Teacher & Assistant Track Coach 1977-2013)

"How did I end up here? Answer: Doug Martin. I'm where I am today because of him."

-Frank Ferrara

(Class of 1988, Mercer County 400 Hurdles Champ, Steinert Teacher & Coach) "Whatever it was that put me in the most pain and discomfort, somehow Coach Martin could find a way to make that fun.  He showed us all how to smile through the pain, embrace it, know that we could overcome it, and use it to our advantage. That’s not just Track Hall of Fame level stuff. That guy belongs in the Life Hall of Fame."

-Thom Mozloom

(Class of 1985, Mercer County Pole Vault Champ)

"Doug always made us feel important. His desire to excel and always try to do your best, while having fun and working hard has made a lasting impact on so many of his student athletes.”

-John Bowe

(Reynolds Middle School 1976, XC/T&F) "Mr. Martin inspired me to continually be a better person. I recently completed 14 years as a principal and now I work in a leadership position for one of the larger charter school management orgs. in the nation. I think when I trace this back, I absolutely give Mr. Martin a ton of credit, and I’m so excited that he’s being inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame." -Gary Springer (Class of 1991, County Champ 800m)

"Congratulations Doug! Well deserved. You made such a positive difference in so many young lives that we could never repay you enough. I hope this award helps you realize how important you were to so many people!" -Ken Robbins

(Class of 1980, Member of Mercer T/F Champs '79 & XC '78)

"I was a better student and human being because of him. Our dedication to the sport, to him, to the team and to ourselves, grew greater and greater. He fostered our determination to be the best we could be, for ourselves and the team! Confidence, Concentration, Consistency, Discipline, Dedication, Determination! The ingredients for success in life!"

-Chris Manno (Class of 1986, School record PV, Superintendent of Burlington NJ & Bedford NY Schools)

"I recall seeing Mr. Martin in the weight room, diligently completing his annual 1,000 push-ups—an impressive display of discipline and commitment. His passion for running and physical fitness set a lasting example, motivating me to remain active for 36 years after high school."

-John Molnar

(Class of 1990, Mercer County 400 Hurdles Champ)

"It was never about just winning, it was about doing the things you needed to do to put yourself in that position and success for you as an individual and as a team would come, however you defined that. I'm sure he got much more joy out of you hitting a PR than you winning your event." -Tom Young (Class of 1988, County & CJ Champ 400m) “Anywhere around Hamilton Square on any given day in any type of weather you were bound to see him shirtless doing that tippy toe jog along the side of the road, and he sure never asked us to do anything that he wasn’t already doing.  We would push ourselves beyond our own limits in practice for the promise of an ice cream sandwich to the winner. Classic. Well deserved.” -Ed Aquilino (Class of 1983, County Champion 800m)

"Coach's optimism made us believe in ourselves and what was possible. He prepared us to avoid pitfalls, to adapt to the unexpected, and to concentrate in the midst of any challenges that came our way. I love him for that." -Bob Marchetti

(Class of 1988, State Champ HJ)

"From my days as a student/athlete at Steinert, to now entering my18th yr coaching and teaching at Steinert, all that I do for my students/athletes is because Mr. Martin set the foundation and standard years before... His true impact on the county is immeasurable."

-Michael Giacobbe (Class of 2002, Teacher and Coach at Steinert)

"I owe so much to Doug. My life would be so different if he wasn’t in it during those formative years. In fact I can say with some degree of confidence that I probably wouldn’t be alive without his guidance and support."

-Mark Fisher (Class of 1982, All-County Track and Field)

“Mr. Martin was always the first one in the building working out each morning, a patient and dedicated teacher throughout the day, and the last one to leave the track every night. Congratulations on a truly well-deserved honor--few embody the spirit of a Steinert Spartan more than he does.” -Nick Kutovy (Class of 1991, Golden West Champion, Javelin)

"Respect yourself and others, have fun, don't get a stupid injury, keep a sense of humor. That's what Doug Martin told us. Having Doug as a coach in 3 sports and teacher in GALRE meant I saw a lot of him, and am grateful for that... He inspired me as an athlete, influenced me academically and challenged me to be informed-all the time having fun. God bless him and all whom he has touched." -Erik Reitz (Class of 1983, CJ & County Champ, School Record HJ)

“As a coach Doug Martin was such a POSITIVE difference maker in our students’ lives. We hosted the Mercer County T&F championships at Steinert and the Mercer XC championships at Vets Park under his leadership. He did everything to promote the sport of track and field throughout the county and is truly an outstanding human that made a positive difference in all that he met.” -Dave McWilliam (Former Steinert Director of Athletics) "Driven and determined mixed with humor and caring, Doug is a unique blend. I'm proud to have had him as a coach and mentor." -Tom Canto (Class of 1988, Member of State Champs XC '87)

“Fun-Run is an oxymoron unless you ran with Coach Doug Martin... He ran right alongside of us during our practices at Vets Park, pushing us to excel all the white delivering his quirky brand of humor that made us laugh through the fartleks.  He was a great coach and more importantly a great role model ...Long live the weight man relay!" -Larry LeClaire (Class of 1982, 1^st team all-Mercer XC)

"Doug was a trail blazer in both the physical and the metaphorical sense, making sure we girls had opportunity to line up and run. In the late 70s - before and at the very beginning of the establishment of official girls teams - he opened doors for us, and in so doing - gave me a sense of confidence that helped shape the person I am today. For that, I will always be grateful. Congratulations on this well deserved recognition Doug!!!!"    

-Bobbi Lynch Heydacker

(Class of 1979, County Champion XC & 5x T&F County Champion )

"I was never an athlete until I went out for track my freshman year. Mr. Martin recognized my desire to improve and inspired me to work hard and to compete with ferocity. He invested so much of himself in the sport and in the team that he made you want to perform. He modeled what being a true lionheart looked like." -Cathy Smith

(Class of 1991, County & CJ Chanp 1600m)

"There are few that have a resume approaching the one that Doug Martin has amassed. Not only is his coaching resume amazing, but his resume as a human being is equally impressive. A coach of cross country, indoor and outdoor track for 34 of his 39 years as an educator of young men and women. He was a highly respected master teacher both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. His teams’ successes are not just measured by what they accomplished as athletes, but by the message he promoted to his teams about values, sportsmanship, and building self-confidence. The number of lives that he has touched cannot possibly be counted. He is likewise a devoted husband, father and grandfather. On a personal note, I couldn’t be prouder to say that he is my dear friend for 50 plus years and I am a better person for having known him, taught with him, and coached with him."

-Andre Modica (Former Steinert Coach and Administrator, Track Official)

-------------------

Doug Martin along with 17 other Mercer greats will be inducted into the Mercer County Track and Field Hall of Fame on Sunday May 17, 2026 at Mercer Oaks, at the hall's annual awards event.

If you'd like to attend please RSVP HERE.

© 2026 Mercer County Track & Field Hall of Fame