Coach Martin to Retire

MARTIN TO RETIRE AS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT SNU

BY JAMES HILL

After 40 years at Southern Nazarene University in a variety of leadership roles, Athletic Director Bobby Martin is set to retire at the end of June, 2019. Whether the point guard for the former Bethany Nazarene College, roaming the sidelines as the head coach of the men's basketball team, or running the day-to-day operations as the athletic director, one thing is for certain—Martin made an impact on SNU, its faculty, staff, students, and the Bethany community. After spending two seasons at Clarendon (Texas) Junior College, Martin arrived at Bethany Nazarene in 1972, playing two seasons under head coach Jim Poteet. Martin was an NCCAA All-American selection as well as an All-District and All-Conference selection during this time. Martin still holds SNU’s all-time assists record for a single game, and is the all-time leader in assists for a single season. After earning his degree in Physical Education at BNC, and later a master’s degree in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma, Martin began his coaching career at Mount Vernon (OH) Nazarene College in 1976, where he was the head men’s basketball and baseball coach for three seasons. Martin moved back to his alma mater in 1979 and became the director of athletics and an assistant to Dr. Loren Gresham on the men’s basketball coaching staff. In 1986, Martin was named the head coach for the men’s varsity program, a post he held for 17 seasons alongside his athletic director duties. During his coaching career at SNU, Martin amassed a record of 336-222, a .602 winning percentage, and became the first coach in school history to produce 300 wins in any sport. Martin was twice named the Sooner Athletic Conference coach of the year (1986 and 1998) and in 1998 was named the NABC’s NAIA national coach of the year.

Martin coaching SNU men's basketball Martin playing for BNC

Loren (Martin) McElroy ('11), Jan (Tyler) Martin ('75), Bobby Martin ('74), Tyler Martin ('07), Logan Martin ('12)

"No person in SNU intercollegiate athletics history has made a more significant contribution than Coach Bobby Martin,” said SNU President Emeritus Dr. Loren Gresham, “His contribution to building lives on a solid foundation has impacted hundreds of student athletes."

Under Martin’s leadership, athletic programs at Southern Nazarene grew from four to sixteen varsity sports and claimed 13 team national championships in the NCCAA and NAIA as well as 13 individual national championships.

In four decades of competition, Martin has led the university’s athletic department through many notable changes, such as the name change from Bethany Nazarene College to Southern Nazarene University, and the mascot change to the Crimson Storm. As Athletic Director, Martin played a critical role in SNU’s transition from the NAIA to the NCAA-Division II in a rigorous, three-year process with full active membership achieved in the 2014-15 academic year.

However, one thing has remained unchanged in Martin’s four decades of Crimson Storm athletics, and that is the mission of the athletic programs at SNU, to reflect the university motto—Character, Culture, Christ. Under Martin’s watch, athletics at SNU stand for something more than victories and championships. SNU athletics has come to stand for sportsmanship, Christian fair play, and, most of all, a family atmosphere for not only athletes and coaches, but fans as well.

The most important cause to Bobby Martin has never had anything to do with athletics. "Our goals are pretty much the same every year. We want to see change in the lives of our athletes and coaches," said Martin. And the lives Martin has touched in his tenure is evident, from former teammates to former players to rival coaches. "Bobby Martin's contributions to SNU are immeasurable," said SNU President Dr. Keith Newman. "In every role he has provided Christlike leadership and been a champion for students on their discipleship journey. We are grateful for the sacrificial investment he and Jan have made in this university. May God bless Bobby in some extra special ways in this next season."

Bobby Martin stepped onto the campus of Bethany Nazarene College as a student-athlete in the fall of 1972 and, with the exception of three years at a sister Nazarene institution, has served the university he loves throughout his career. In that 43-year period, no one has done more to shape the trajectory of the Southern Nazarene University Athletics Department.

Although we are experiencing the end of an era in the history of a storied college athletic program, we couldn't be more grateful for the ride. 

"NO PERSON IN SNU INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS HISTORY HAS MADE A MORE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAN COACH BOBBY MARTIN."

Where Giants Lived: The Wanda Rhodes Legacy

BY ANNA DERBYSHIRE ('90)

W

anda Rhodes went to be with the Lord November 27, 2018. Her favorite Bible character was Caleb, and when asked why, she would tell how, when the Promised Land was divided, he took the hill country where the giants lived and trusted the Lord to give him strength to drive out the giants. She would explain that just like Caleb, she wanted the road that was so difficult only the Lord could guide her through.

Today the Lord is still clearing the hill country through the strength he gave Wanda Rhodes for her wholehearted endeavor.

By the end of this year Wanda Rhodes’ estate will have fully funded or helped finish the funding of seven Southern Nazarene University endowment scholarships. They include three scholarships for students in the physical education program with two of them set-aside specifically for students who plan to teach or coach.

Two scholarships are in the music department for keyboard students—the Nellie M. Reynolds Rhodes Music Endowed Scholarship, which honors her mother who was a piano teacher and played the organ at their home church, and a keyboard scholarship that merges with others, which is still to be named.

One theology scholarship, The Olen Lee Rhodes Theology Scholarship (endowed in honor of her father), is specifically for men or women going into the pastoral ministry. Though her father was not a minister, he was a strong supporter of those in the pastorate and the many in her family who were in the ministry.

Finally Rhodes co-created the Gladys Banks and Wanda Rhodes Servanthood Endowed Scholarship in honor of Gladys Banks, a faithful custodian in the old Broadhurst Gym. Along with Michael and Cheryl Crabtree, Wanda wanted to honor Gladys as a faithful servant who humbly

worked among the students for many decades. “No one knew so much of what she did. Not until I went through her things did I find out some of her accomplishments,” Dr. Ellene Andrew, Wanda’s cousin, admitted. “It was very humbling to see what was always private to her. It was an honor to observe through her things—what was so beautiful from her life.”

“I was shocked when I heard that she had endowments. I thought there wasn’t going to be a penny left,” Stephane Shellenberger explained of her dear friend and colleague. In order to get to Dr. Rhodes’ office, one had to go through

Professor Shellenberger’s, so she saw more than most. She watched Wanda live a life full of benevolence, never turning anyone away. She saw her friend live meagerly, not eating out and seldom buying new clothes, “But she was rich in how she gave to others. She never preached

God’s Word; she just lived it so well.”

Dr. Rhodes wanted to provide opportunities for students, for women in athletics, for ministers and missionaries, along with those from difficult parts of the city. In tennis she knew how to place her shots, and assuredly outworked her opponents as she divided and conquered each game, set, and match.

Caleb conquered the giants as he trusted in the strength of the Lord. Wanda is a giant slayer still; by persistently climbing rocky places, she built a strong path for the grandchildren and great grandchildren of the students she first led. Indeed, just as Caleb is quoted in Joshua 14:8, Wanda can stand and say “I however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." 

She never preached God’s Word; she just lived it so well.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SNU’S BRAND

BY PATRICK MARSTON ('08)

SNU HAS TAKEN ON A REFRESHED LOOK in print and online, most noticeably in the institutional and athletic logos. The development of these logos and the accompanying brand guide reflects the commitment of the university to establish a foundation on which to build the future of the University’s brand while honoring our 120-year legacy.

The work which began in design is being realized in execution. In January of 2019 the Institutional Brand Guide was released for use by faculty and staff with an emphasis on transition and communication. The SNU Creative Development Group (SNU Creative) offered several informational sessions after which the campus family began to utilize the new branding in all official communications.

While the transition to the updated branding on the University’s permanent assets such as signage and vehicles will be gradual, adoption in print and online communication has been swift. In collaboration with the campus-based SNU Printshop, SNU Creative has fulfilled over 200 requests for business cards, stationery, digital templates, and other media. In addition, numerous brochures, t-shirts, web pages, and social media posts have boosted the profile of our refreshed brand in the past several months.

The refreshed brand is visually apparent in the SNU Campus Store. Preceding the release, store management had put plans in motion for updates to their merchandise so they could offer their customers apparel and other items with the new logo. Alumni and friends are invited to visit the store, located on the main floor of the Webster Commons, or browse the online selection at snu.edu/campus-store.

A new direction for SNU Magazine

In response to the new look of SNU media, Direction, SNU’s alumni magazine, has been re-branded as SNU Magazine. This reflects our continuing commitment to communicate the message of SNU as the primary identification of the University. Additionally, we hope that this change is reflective of our mission to tell the story of the university in a broad context that connects all members of our community.

MERCHANDISE ON DISPLAY IN THE SNU CAMPUS STORE

MOCK-UP OF PLANNED "BOBBY MARTIN COURT" FEATURING NEW ATHLETIC LOGO

THE WORK WHICH BEGAN IN DESIGN IS BEING REALIZED IN EXECUTION.

BUSINESS CARDS WITH REFRESHED BRAND PRODUCED BY PAUL JOHNSON, MANAGER OF THE SNU PRINTSHOP

GET TO KNOW THE NEW LOGO

The Southern Nazarene University institutional visual style is a bold and confident visualization of the University’s unwavering commitment to its past, present, and future. Customized for the University, the carefully created “SNU” combines both classic and modern design attributes while evoking a strong visual foundation and stance.

The institutional identity embodies strength of character, commemorates a rich spiritual heritage, and amplifies a deep faith in the ever-changing world.

The emphasis of “SNU” in the logo reflects the University’s colloquial identification. The date, 1899, reflects the University’s remarkable history, celebrating the University’s founding and more than a century of commitment to educating students for lives of service to Christ. A visual anchor for the university’s institutional identity, the date also serves as a point-of-pride for alumni, current students, and future students.