SUNY Canton Skates Toward Naming Ice Arena for Former Hockey Coach

A new fundraising campaign seeks to honor Terry L. Martin.

The SUNY Canton College Foundation, Inc., has launched a campaign to name the campus ice arena after the winningest hockey coach in college history.

Terry L. Martin served as the college’s head men’s ice hockey coach from 1974 to 1999 and led SUNY Canton’s teams to 12 national championship titles with a career record of 527 wins, 211 losses and 19 ties.

“No other coach in the college’s history has left a legacy quite like Terry Martin,” said Vice President for Advancement Tracey Thompson Hastings. “He played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of student-athletes, instilling values of discipline, teamwork and perseverance that have extended far beyond the rink.”

Martin coached more than 300 young men during his 25-year career. He also served as men’s athletic director, women’s soccer coach, and men’s lacrosse coach, in addition to teaching in the physical education department.

“Naming the arena in Terry’s honor is more than a tribute to his remarkable achievements,” Thompson Hastings added. “It’s a celebration of the lasting impact he has had on our students and the broader SUNY Canton community.”

Martin was the 2009 recipient of the American Hockey Coaches Association’s prestigious John “Snooks” Kelley Founders Award, recognizing his impact on collegiate hockey. He was inducted into the college-wide Hall of Fame in 2011.

“In the North Country, we all know names like Cheel Arena, Maxcy Hall, Appleton Arena, and Dana Hall,” said SUNY Canton Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski. “It makes complete sense that we are adding Terry Martin’s name to that exclusive list of iconic people who have left an indelible mark on our college, its students and our community. And when it comes to our alumni who played for Terry, no one in the history of our school is more revered, respected and loved.”

Those who played for Martin are among the most passionate and dedicated graduates, according to the SUNY Canton Alumni Office. In 2013, a group of former players contributed funding to purchase a bronze statue of Martin for the Roos House entranceway. Several of those donors, area business leaders and Martin’s colleagues have made lead gifts to support the naming endeavor.

Donald W. Gately and his wife Michele, graduates of the class of 1976, contributed to the naming campaign. “This naming initiative is a fitting capstone to Coach Martin’s 25-year career,” Don said. “He was a tireless mentor to his players, teaching the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, integrity, humility and self-motivation that served everyone who played under him beyond their hockey careers. Michele and I are proud to join my teammates and the more than 300 players and former students who experienced his guidance in supporting this most deserved recognition.”

College Foundation board member Michael J. Quenneville, a 1987 graduate who played for Martin, said, “Terry Martin is very deserving of this honor because of his commitment to the college, student population, peers and his athletes. I am grateful for the opportunity to play for him and learn hockey skills and the lifelong skills I use every day.”

William J. (Bill) Coakley of Coakley’s Home and Hardware initially encouraged Martin to apply for his position at the college and was his assistant coach. “We coached together for 15 years and through nine national championships,” he said. “His qualities as a coach come from his qualities as a person. Terry and the SUNY Canton men’s and women’s hockey programs are very well deserving of this support and recognition.”

The SUNY Canton Advancement Division is collecting donations for the Terry Martin Fund through its athletics giving webpage. For more information about the campaign and ways to contribute, contact Assistant Director of Development Sara Hartman-Richards at 315-386-7037 or email hartmansara@canton.edu.