Martin Goes From the Court to the Front Office
4/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Jack Duggan, Huntsville Flight Media Relations
There is no doubt that he is the most recognizable figure in the entire National Basketball Development League's Huntsville Flight organization. Although this person is not the team mascot "Cosmo" or a current player, he has donned the Flight colors during his basketball career.
The person that everyone knows goes by the name "Doc." Short for Terrance "Doc" Martin.
Given the nickname "Doc" by his peers in middle school after suggesting to his coach a type of treatment for a teammate's injury during a game, the moniker has evolved into something more personal for the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native, who now calls Huntsville home. The nickname now describes his faith as it is an acronym for "Disciple of Christ."
Martin, a standout product at the University of Alabama from 1997-2001, played part of last season with the Flight. He was also a member of the team in training camp this fall before becoming one of the team's final cuts prior to the start of the season.
After his release from the team back in November, Martin earned a new role within the organization, marketing representative, which has enabled him to move from the court to the front office.
As part of a solid sales staff – the Flight led the league in attendance in 2002-03 – Martin has begun learning the other side of the business and his transition has been fairly smooth.
"It has been a great transition to the front office as everybody has been great from the top to the bottom," Martin said. "Slowly but surely they have been teaching me the tricks of the trade to help me be successful at what I am doing – so far, so good."
The former 6-foot-4 guard has also transferred some of the skills he has learned on the basketball side to his current position.
"Being a hard worker, being persistent and making sure you do the job right and doing it right every time," Martin said on some of the attributes he learned while playing basketball that he has brought to his new career. "That carries over to the front office part. You may get a 'no' here or there but you try to figure out a different way to approach a person. Many of the same rules apply."
Martin, though, would like one day to get back on the basketball side and assist in any way he can for the game that he has played since his youth.
"What I am doing now is fine, but being a former player I would like to be more involved in the basketball operations side," Martin said. "That includes possibly coaching, being a scout or being more involved with the players where you get a chance to teach the game."
Still, whether he is in the office or out at one of his many appearances for the Flight community relations department, Martin is always recognized by one of the loyal Crimson Tide followers.
"It's flattering that people remember me from my days at Alabama," Martin said on being noticed. "Constantly, I get 'Are you Doc Martin?' and I say yes I am. And they would respond with 'Man, I enjoyed watching you play at Alabama and I really love and respect everything you did for the program when you were there.'
"There are truly some die-hard Bama fans here who – when you are out-and-about – remember you."
That adulation, though, is not just because of his status as a basketball player but also as a strong member of the community. Martin is selfless with his time and was one of the Flight's most active participants in the Flight's community relations program as a player. In fact, Martin earned a nod on the Southeastern Conference Good Works Team for his work within the community during his days at Alabama.
Martin has not ruled out the possibility of playing basketball again, but whatever comes along he will enjoy the opportunity of what he is given.
"God works in mysterious ways," Martin said. "He has given me this opportunity for a reason. All I know right now is that I am taking it for what it's worth and trying to learn how things go on the other end of the spectrum."
