Dec. 31, 2003

Allendale, Mich. - Chuck Martin, the defensive coordinator for Grand Valley State's 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship team, has been named head football coach at Grand Valley State Athletics Director Tim Selgo announced today. Martin replaces Brian Kelly who was introduced Tuesday as head football coach at Central Michigan University.

"It is with great pleasure that I am introducing Chuck Martin as the sixth head football coach at Grand Valley State," said GVSU Athletics Director Tim Selgo. "Chuck has done an outstanding job in his four years at Grand Valley State and we are excited to have him lead our football program. While we had several outstanding candidates that were qualified to lead our program, Chuck Martin rose to the top of the list over the last four years. I saw no reason to go outside our coaching staff when we had such capable coaches internally. Chuck is an outstanding recruiter and a proven leader in a championship football program," added Selgo.

Martin most recently completed his fourth season on the GVSU football staff and his first as the defensive coordinator. Grand Valley State rode its defense to the 2003 NCAA DII Football National Championship, holding its final three opponents in the playoffs to just three field goals. Grand Valley State ranked in the top 10 nationally in four defensive categories in 2003, including a national best rushing defense that yielded just 64.9 yards per game. In addition, GVSU led the nation in turnovers forced (43) and total turnover margin (+21). GVSU ranked third in scoring defense (13.3 ppg) and 19th in pass efficiency defense (100.3). The Lakers ranked first in the GLIAC in four defensive categories and second in two.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named head coach at Grand Valley State University," said Martin. "The Grand Valley State Football program has a great tradition of excellence both on the field and in the classroom, and I am excited about the opportunity to continue the development of our extraordinary student-athletes. Our program is on solid ground with a talented group of dedicated student-athletes returning."

Martin has been a key figure in the progression of the GVSU defense the past four years. His defensive backfield has earned 10 All-GLIAC honors in four years, including safety Scott Mackey being named the GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and a First-Team All-American in 2002 and 2003. The Laker defensive backfield has picked off 48 passes the past two years, including a GVSU single-season record 26 in both 2001 and 2003. Grand Valley State has intercepted 84 passes in the past four years, returning 14 for TDs.

The 35-year-old Martin began his coaching career at Mankato State in 1992 while finishing his master's degree. After a one-year stint with the Mavericks, Martin moved on to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. At Wittenberg, Martin coached the linebackers in football and served as the head golf coach and assistant baseball coach for two years. Chuck moved on to become the defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at his alma mater, Millikin University, for two years before taking over the linebackers at Eastern Michigan in 1998. Martin coached the linebackers at EMU for two years prior to his arrival at GVSU.

Martin was a standout athlete at Millikin University, earning all-american honors as a free safety, as well as GTE Academic All-American plaudits. In addition, Martin was an all-conference place kicker. Chuck was also a standout on the hardwood for Millikin, earning academic all-district and MVP honors. Martin graduated from Millikin in 1990 with a degree in accounting.

Chuck is a native of Park Forest, Illinois, and graduated from Rich East High School in 1986. Martin and his wife, Dulcie, have a three-year-old son, Max.

**Grand Valley State, the two-time defending NCAA DII National Champions, is one of the most successful programs in college football over the last 12 years. In the 1990's, GVSU was 80-31-2 (.717). GVSU has the best record by percentage in DII since 2000 with a 48-6 mark (.888) and GVSU's 48 wins since 2000 rank as the second most in DII football behind Valdosta State. The Lakers have appeared in three straight NCAA DII National Championship games (2001, 2002, 2003). GVSU is 62-14 (.805) in the last five years and 240-111-3 in 32 years of playing football.