Longtime Lamar coach Jerry Martinez was recognized Monday by the University Interscholastic League as one of the 15 top sponsors in Texas.
The 2011 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winners were picked from the areas of athletics, music and academics, and were nominated by principals and superintendents.
Martinez has been a coach and teacher for more than 50 years, spending the last 25 leading Lamar’s boys track and cross country programs. He had six regional qualifiers last spring in, with one (Alonzo Mitchell in the discus) reaching state.
As a football assistant, Martinez has helped Lamar reach the playoffs in 24 of his 25 seasons with the program.
“The benefits of interscholastic competition and student performance are only possible through the hard work and dedication of sponsors, coaches and directors like these,” UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt said in a press release. “On behalf of the UIL, I commend these outstanding educators.”
Other coaches recognized were Waco University’s Mike Chapman (boys and girls soccer) and Duncanville’s Cathy Self-Morgan (girls basketball).
