Longtime Hockey Coach Terry Martin Honored with Statue

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CANTON, NY (11/18/2013)(readMedia)-- SUNY Canton celebrated a phenomenal coach and a distinguished gentleman with a life-size bronze statue.

Terry L. Martin, head coach of the SUNY Canton men's hockey program for 25 years, was honored on Saturday with the unveiling of the College's new monument at the entryway of the college's athletic facilities. The ceremony took place outside the doors to the ice arena of the Convocation, Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC), also known as the Roos House.

"What a humbling experience," Martin said at the event. "But what a great day for my family, for my hockey family, my lacrosse family, my soccer family and all the faculty and staff here when I taught and coached. Seeing you all here today, former players and their families, it makes my heart feel good."

Martin was at the helm for the Northmen and later the Northstars from 1974 to 1999, compiling a record of 527-211-29, including a 102-11-8 mark in his final four seasons. His teams won 12 national championship titles throughout his Canton College coaching career. Martin also served as men's athletic director, women's soccer coach, men's lacrosse coach, and taught in the physical education department.

The statue came to fruition through the vision and generosity of alumnus Richard F. Layo, who played for the Northmen from 1974-76. He has remained active since he graduated from SUNY Canton, attending alumni events and maintaining correspondence with the Office of Alumni Affairs.

"You always hear 'Terry Martin, what a great coach!'" Layo said. "Terry Martin is a great man. I think that's something that speaks louder than just a great coach. His level of dedication was humbling to me as a freshman. His passion for the game is like no one else I've ever seen. He continually builds character in every hockey player he works with."

Layo owns and operates Dynamic International located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1986, Dynamic International has grown from its native Wisconsin and Michigan roots to become a national sales enterprise comprising a network of distributorships and a multi-million dollar international corporate entity. They provide state-of-the-art die/mold machine solutions for a broad base of North American companies.

SUNY Canton Acting President Joseph Hoffman also spoke at the event along with Canton Town Supervisor Dave Button and long-time Professor and Canton Town Board Member Dan Fay. Button and Fay presented a Town Board resolution honoring Martin's extraordinary accomplishments and service to the college and community.

The SUNY Canton Foundation and Alumni Offices welcomed more than 100 alumni, friends and guests to campus this weekend for 'Terry Martin Weekend,' including Northmen Night during Friday's hockey game.

"It was a great weekend honoring Terry," said Vice President for Advancement Dave Gerlach. "He deserves this type of recognition. And his former players showed how much he means to them by traveling from all over North America to be in attendance at the unveiling."

About SUNY Canton

SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier College for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The College delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management, and public service to students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as eight exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The College's 14 athletic teams compete in state-of-the-art facilities as provisional members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.

-www.canton.edu-

Photo Caption: Former SUNY Canton teammates and two-time national champions Jon Shellington and Richard Layo, class of 1976, unveil the bronze statue of long-time Men's Hockey Coach Terry L. Martin as he and his wife Jill look on. The statue is located at the main entrance of the Roos House ice arena.