Sandy Martin
Providence High School
Impact Statement
“You have to be able to motivate and encourage people and keep a positive attitude no matter what happens.”
-Sandy Martin
Biography
“Sandy Martin is an outstanding example for successful high school swimming coaches,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “They place a high value on the teamwork skills players learn for success in the classroom and on the field, and we are proud to be honoring her.”
Martin’s Providence teams have won five consecutive Class 4A state team titles. Since Providence High is one of only two schools in Charlotte with a pool, the team must share pool time with the city’s other high school teams and is limited to the same 90 minutes of practice per day as its competition.
Despite that handicap, Martin has sent swimmers to Notre Dame, Clemson, Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee, North Carolina, and North Carolina State. Two Providence team members competed in this year’s Olympic Trials (2000).
Martin led the Providence girls’ to another stint of back to back championships from 2004 until 2007. Martin also led the boys’ to State Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Martin retired in 2013. That year, she was honored as the Toby Webb Coach of the Year. The award given by the NCHSAA to a coach who has made major contributions to the success of high school athletics at the school, in the community and beyond.
Over the course of her career, in addition to swimming, Martin was also the head coach of both the cheer team and the tennis team.
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Community Service
In addition to her teaching and coaching, Martin is an active volunteer with the American Red Cross for almost 15 years, training hundreds of students to become lifeguards.
