Jody Martinez is an NCCAA guy, through and through. In one way or another, he has been involved with the association since 1986 and has excelled in every area of NCCAA participation and service since that first day. He currently serves as the Athletics Director and Head Women's Basketball Coach at Bethel College.
Jody was an outstanding student-athlete at Bethel College and was an NCCAA All American in 1987, 1988, and 1989. He ended his career as the leading scorer and leading rebounder at Bethel and was honored with the retiring of his jersey, #44, in 1991. After graduation and a summer of professional basketball, Jody returned to Bethel to secure his teaching certificate. He also joined the Men's Basketball staff as an assistant coach and was part of the 1992 & 1993 NCCAA National Championship teams.
In 1998, Coach Martinez returned to Bethel as the Head Coach for Women's Basketball. He started a legacy of success immediately as he led the Pilots to their first 20 win season and an appearance in the NCCAA National Tournament. In 2000, he led Bethel's ladies to their first NCCAA National Championship and has added five more NCCAA National Championship banners in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, and 2011. In the years that Bethel did not win the NCCAA title, they generally found themselves in the NAIA National Tournament field where Jody led them to five Elite 8 finishes. On six occasions, Jody's peers have honored him as the NCCAA National Coach of the Year.
Excellence on the court is only a small part of Jody's passion as he has been a constant in leading his teams on Mission Trips, having gone on twelve such journeys. He has also participated on four Task Force Relief Teams into Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. He also serves as the Head of the Elder Committee at his church while being a husband to Sonya and dad to Hannah and Josalyn.
"Winning games and championships is not on the top of Jody's list. It just happens to be a by-product of investing in and developing the young ladies that God entrusts to him," states Assistant Coach Chris Hess. Crossroads League rival, Steve Brooks of Indiana Wesleyan University, added, "Jody is a tremendous role model for kids today of what it means to put God first, family second, and sport third. He is a real champion for Christ."
The NCCAA is honored to welcome Jody Martinez into the NCCAA Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014.