Rogers State University Athletics

A pillar of Rogers State in all three of its incarnations from Oklahoma Military Academy to Claremore Junior College to Rogers State College, Luther Martin first came to College Hill as OMA’s baseball coach in 1968. When OMA transitioned into Claremore Junior College in 1971, Martin continued leading the Spartan Baseball program amassing a record of 249-107 over 14 seasons, never finishing a season with a losing record. His most successful season came in 1978, when guided CJC to a 31-2 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Region 2 Championship. That year, he helped guide fellow Hillcat Hall of Famer Steve Crawford to a 5-2 record on the mound with a 1.37 ERA as Crawford was named the NJCAA Region 2 Pitcher of the Year and was named to the Regional All-Star team. Martin made a coaching career recruiting the best baseball players from talent-rich, local high schools including Claremore, Inola and Salina among others, giving those young men a chance to play baseball at another level and earn an education in the process.
 
In 1983, he was promoted to athletic director of the newly renamed Rogers State College, overseeing the institution’s Health, Physical Education and Recreation department. Martin served in various roles for Rogers State until his retirement in 1994, including a heavy involvement with student recruitment.