Chuck Martin has coached track and cross country at Norwell High School for over 20 years. For all of his accomplishments, Martin will be inducted into the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame on June 4. What is most impressive about Martin’s career is not how successful he has been, but for how long he has been successful. Martin just led the Norwell girls outdoor track and field team to their 10th straight South Shore League Championship. “It means I’m getting older,” said Martin of his induction. “It’s quite an honor, you do this for almost 30 years, it’s voted by all the coaches in the state, so I’m quite humbled by it.” Martin’s leadership has made Norwell track one of the most successful programs at NHS and one of the most dominant in the state. “I’ve never seen anybody as dedicated as he is, to track and field, to the cross country program.” said fellow Norwell track coach Kelly Adams. “It’s an essential part of his life, and it shows in everything that he does.” Martin will be inducted at the MSTCA Awards Banquet on June 4 at The Lantana in Randolph at 2 p.m. He’ll be joined by Newburyport’s Tim Foley and Fitchburg’s Chris Woods. Walpole’s James Erker will be inducted from the veteran’s division. Martin’s coaching has also made track and field one of the most popular programs at Norwell, as both the boys and girls teams had more than 40 athletes signed up this season. “I’m proud that we have been consistent all these years. Our cross country program has been on a high level each and every year, and this is one of the best young track teams I’ve had in a long time,” said Martin. Martin is also responsible for helping NHS earn the opportunity of hosting four major state track meets this spring, culminating with the New England Championships on June 10. “We just like flying under the radar, we just do what we do, and we have been very lucky to be successful at it,” said Martin. Martin also still holds two records from his time at UMass Boston. In the 1,500 meter race, Martin ran a time of 3:56.20. In the 10,000, which is nearly six miles, Martin set the school record with a time of 31:30.29. Martin’s dominant tenure does not seem to be coming to an end any time soon, as the current Norwell track program is full of talented underclassmen that have been able to compete and win in varsity races. “I’ve been fortunate to have great coaches to coach along with me, and the support of the administration, the town, and the parents,” said Martin. “It’s been a 20-plus year commitment to the sport and to the athletes, that have had the great fortune to be coached by him,” said Adams. After such a successful career as both an athlete and a coach, and now being inducted into the MSTCA Hall of Fame, it is tough to imagine that Martin has anything left to accomplish, but he still has more he wants to do. “My own children are coming up through the system now, so it’s awesome to see my son running on the track team,” said Martin. “I have three more daughters coming up eventually as well, so I just enjoy watching them run and compete, whether is track or even if they do soccer or anything else.”
Inducted: 2017