In The Locker Room With Senior Offensive Tackle Matt Martin
Oct 08, 2001 | Football
Oct. 8, 2001
- by Kristin Kinney, Kansas State Sports Information student assistant
Matt Martin grew up on the beaches of California body surfing and bike riding with friends on the West Coast sand. In fact, playing football didn't enter his mind until he reached high school and noticed all of his friends were playing.
"I was originally a basketball player until I entered high school," Martin said.
Shooting hoops was something he enjoyed, but it didn't take long for the love of football to take over. After gaining experience as an offensive lineman, quarterback, tight end and defensive end, he knew that this was a game he loved to play.
Even though Martin was getting valuable experience playing so many positions, he never imagined playing football for a top-10 football team. However, he did have a role model he watched who played for the University of Southern California named Tony Boselli - also a left tackle.
So did he ever imagine playing on the same field as Boselli?
"No, I never thought that it would be something that I would do, but I did think that it would be cool," Martin said.
Little did he know that this would be a reality during the first game of his senior year.
After high school, Martin attended Long Beach City Junior College. While starting two-years for the Vikings he earned All-Mission Conference honors and was a honorable mention All-America selection by JC Gridwire. Martin also helped his team to a Mission Conference title as a sophomore.
So how did Martin end up in Kansas? Easy, it was the best college of his three choices of Kansas State, Eastern Michigan and San Diego State.
"I came from a winning junior college," he explained.
Which indeed he did, earning a 19-3 record in his two years there. "I didn't want to go somewhere that didn't have a winning tradition, plus I had a lot of fun when I visited here. Another factor was that I have a lot of my family from Kansas, so that was pretty important," Martin said.
Making the transition from a junior college team was something that Martin had to work at after arriving in the Little Apple.
"I have learned more of the technical aspects of a left guard to improve my game," Martin said. "Things like footwork and the importance of hand placement are just a few of the things I worked on."
After learning how to improve his game, he was ready to take on the challenge of starting his senior year and the homecoming at the L.A. Coliseum.
So how was it to play in the same area where he grew up?
"Well it was fun when it lasted," he said. "I got hurt in the first play of the game and it was really disappointing because I had a lot of people watching me in that game."
For the die-hard K-State fans that check out all of the web sites about the team, Martin can recall his dad joining in on a forum bragging about the 35 people he was bringing to the game.
"I had them, plus a lot of my friends from there and for those who watched it on TV it was just very disappointing," Martin said.
Although he had a mishap to start his senior year, offensive line coach Paul Dunn believes that Martin has a lot to show.
"I think that he is anxious to get into the mix of things this year. He has played on spot occasions but has not had efficient playing time. So this year I believe that Matt is really hungry to show what he can do."
During free time when he is not in class, practice, lifting weights or watching tapes, Martin likes to volunteer and hang out with friends. He has volunteered for the Read Across America campaign. He traveled to Junction City to read to elementary school children and stress the importance of reading. Another event that he participated in was Veterans Appreciation Week, something that he will never forget.
"They told us when we got to the Veterans Hospital in Topeka that the veterans would be asking us questions about football and things," Martin said. "But a lot of the older guys told us some things that were really surprising."
He said before arriving at the hospital were that he thought they were there to talk to the war veterans about playing football. He soon realized that he was the one inspired with the stories of trials and triumphs the men shared with him.
"I met a guy who won the Congressional Medal of Honor and he couldn't talk about the war without crying," Martin said. "It was a great experience, I'm glad I went."
When Martin is not volunteering he can be seen hanging out with friends doing various activities throughout the Manhattan community.
"I like to go boating, fishing, golfing and bowling with my roommates and other guys on the team," Martin said. "I have experienced a lot more outdoor things since I have been here. In California there is always the beach, but I never did camping and stuff.
"I went though a big culture shock after coming here. I want fans to know that I have really grown to appreciate being here. I have really enjoyed my time here and gotten to know a different side of me that I didn't know existed. Living here is almost like a whole different world."
