Chuck Martin

 Chuck Martin graduated from Taylorville High School in 1970 after completing a stellar athletic career in basketball and baseball. A three year letter winner on Tornadoes basketball team and starter during his junior and senior years, Chuck Martin was know for his dedication and leadership on the court. He never missed a practice or a game during those three years and was selected team captain his senior year.    During the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons, with Martin directing the team at point guard, the Tornadoes were 19-9 and 16-8, winning the Mid State Conference Championship both years. The team also won the Taylorville Mid -Year Classic both years and were Regional champions in 1969.    Martin averaged 13.1 points a game in 1969 and 17.1 points per game in 1970. During his senior year, he led the team in assists, steals, free throws made, free throws attempted, and in free throw percentage. He was selected Chicago Tribune’s “Player of the Week” in 1969 after scoring 26 points against Shelbyville and 29 points against Effingham on back to back nights.     Following his senior year Martin was selected as a unanimous member of the All Mid-State Conference First Team. He also was selected to the Decatur Herald and Review All Area First Team, Special Mention on The Illinois Prep Sports All State Team and received Honorable Mention on the AP and UPI All State Teams.

In the spring, Chuck Martin excelled as a shortstop on the baseball team. He was a starter and letter winner all three years on teams that finished 11-8 in 1968, 15-4 in 1969 and 16 – 4 in 1970. The Tornadoes won two Mid-State Conference Championships and two regional championships in 1969 and 1970.

During his senior year, Martin was team leader in batting average, extra base hits, home runs, hits, runs scored and RBI's while batting in the lead off position. He hit .420, struck only twice all season and stole 21 bases in 22 attempts that year. At the culmination of the season, he was selected team MVP and team captain.

Following graduation, Martin attended Eastern Illinois University, receiving a scholarship to play basketball. After leading the freshman/sophomore team in scoring, assists, and steals he was promoted to the varsity at mid season. However, it was baseball that Martin excelled in at E.I.U.

He was a letter winner and member of the Panther varsity baseball team all four years in college. In 1973 he hit .373 and helped Eastern advance to the NCAA College Division World Series where they finished third. As he senior, he played every inning of every game at third base, committing only two errors and helping the team to a 22-13 record. That year he was also selected team captain.

Following graduation from college, Martin became an IHSA registered official in both basketball and baseball and played semi-professional baseball in Peoria where he was twice named to the league all-star team.