Coach Martin joins an elite group of individuals recognized by the King & His Court Historical Preservation Foundation and the Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic Foundation. This award is presented annually to Division III coaches, players, and volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to the sport of softball. Recipients embody the values of dedication and commitment – the two fundamental pillars that led to King & His Court’s legacy status as the “King of Softball” and brought them worldwide recognition. These same pillars serve as the criteria for selecting award recipients, honoring those who have left a lasting positive impact on the sport.

Terry Martin, the longest-serving head coach on Piedmont’s athletics staff, will begin his 28th season leading the Piedmont softball program in fall 2025. Throughout his distinguished career, Martin has guided the Lady Lions to over 600 victories, eight NCAA national tournament appearances, five conference tournament crowns, and 11 regular-season conference championships. Over 27 seasons, he has amassed a notable 651-421-1 record (.607 winning percentage), ranking among the nation’s top 50 active Division III head coaches for total wins. He boasts 21 winning seasons—including four with 30 or more wins—and an impressive 40-plus win campaign in 2014. Martin is also recognized as a seven-time conference Coach of the Year.  

Martin’s teams have excelled academically too, finishing in the NFCA Division III Team Academic Award national top ten three times (2003, 2008, 2009), with a runner-up placement in 2009. More than 20 Lady Lions have earned All-American Scholar-Athlete honors under his leadership. Additionally, Martin has coached 11 players to USA South “of the year” accolades—including Melissa Eckman, who was named both Rookie Pitcher and Pitcher of the Year twice, and others such as Olivia Duncan, Jessica Bagwell, Hannah Hoban, and Jordan Ellingson, who each received Rookie of the Year distinctions and, in Ellingson’s case, also Pitcher of the Year. In total, Martin has mentored 41 USA South all-conference athletes and 15 NFCA All-Region honorees, while Brittney Head and Abby Smith combined athletic success with academics, earning CoSIDA Academic All-American recognition.

Originally from Toccoa, Georgia, Martin attended Nyack College in New York, where he earned All-Conference and All-American honors as a catcher. He later completed his master’s degree at the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama. Martin continues to reside near Toccoa with his wife, Robin Cash. Their oldest son, Ethan, was selected 15th overall as a first-round MLB draft pick in 2008 and pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, making his major league debut in 2013 against the Atlanta Braves. Cody, their youngest son, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2009 but pursued his education before starring at College of Charleston, where he punctuated his debut season with a game-winning, pinch-hit three-run homer on opening day.