by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe website has the words, Ska’tne ionkwaio’te ón:wa wenhniserá:te ne sén:ha aioianerénhake ne enióhrhen’ne, meaning Working Together Today To Build A Better Tomorrow. These words may also apply to the regions youth coaches who are building the future generations to empower the youth to lead the nation in the future.
Shawn Martin is from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in Akwesasne, NY. He is the Girls Varsity Head Basketball Coach at Salmon River Central School, NY. This is one of many coaching assignments Shawn has held in the Akwesasne area and school district.
Shawn has also coached North Franklin Youth Soccer for 25 years; youth softball for six years, and youth basketball for the past 15 years. Presently the Director of NF basketball program grades K-6. In the Salmon River Central school district, he has coached girls soccer modified, JV level for seven years; modified/JV softball three years, girls and boys track and field five years (two athletes went to NY state meet), girls and boys asst. coach cross country for three years (2002 NYS Boys Class C NYS Champions), and Boys Basketball for 20 years (last 10 at the Varsity level).
Shawn attended Hartwick College and was an NCAA Division III Track and Field All-American, NYS champion in 3000m Steeplechase and 8th place in the National Championships in Berea, OH in 1991. He holds collegiate records in the 1000m – 2:30.9, 5000m – 15:38 and part of three relays including 4 x 1600, 4 x 800, Distance Medley Relay Teams. He was named MVP 1990-91 Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor T&F. Shawn was a member of the Wings of America Team and ran in the Northeast region 10K National Championships, Van Cortlandt Park, NYC and Franklin Park, Boston, MA. He was a member of numerous USA T&F regional teams in the 3000m steeple-chase between 1991-96. He was also a member of the Mohawk Express Men’s Basketball Team between 1994-2000. Shawn participated in the 1995 Native American Indigenous Games, Blaine, MN earning a Gold – 3000m, Silver – 800m and 4th place – 1500m. He was inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame for Salmon River and Hartwick College in 2011.
Shawn addressed his cultural core values with coaching: “Respect: I was always taught to be respectful no matter what. My mother was my rock. She taught me how to persevere as she had while we grew up. There is good in everyone, it is just a choice that makes the difference. If you work hard, good things will happen, and things won’t be just handed to you. Be responsible for your actions, either good or bad. There is always something to learn you and will never know it all. She always told me I should have been a teacher. I didn’t listen then, but I hope this is a good substitute. Good moral character and good ethics for the wellbeing of your players and team, and stick to your core principles. My time in the military, US National Guard with basic training in Ft. Benning, GA, taught me to be strong, make sound decisions, and become a leader.”
“You can only do your best, nothing more,” said Shawn. “Don’t try to be better than someone else but learn from others. As a coach you didn’t invent anything, someone else has done it along the way somehow. You can’t change the cards you’re dealt, but you can still play the hand you’re given. Greatest strength as a coach is the ability to give. A relentless passion to help people get better, taking players, assistant coaches, and fans to places they didn’t think they could reach. Have strength in making people believe in themselves and in each other.”
“Coaching isn’t just about winning, but about self-respect, sacrifice, courage and endurance. Life lessons are what you make it to be not what you want it to be,” added Shawn.
“There’s always room to learn,” said Shawn. “Every student-athlete has a different story. They all need to be treated in a different manner since their backgrounds differ. Get to know your student-athletes, what makes them tick, what are their successes, where do they want to go and do. Have a coach/player relationship so you can relate but have that strong “line” drawn so they know the boundaries. Be patient and listen. Not all kids want advice, they just need an ear. Be tough but know when to back off.”
“My life wasn’t easy,” recalled Shawn. “It was a struggle. My mom was a single parent as I was growing up. I worked hard for the grades I received. I left Akwesasne to go to school, I returned and my community helped me out when I needed it. The community helped me with fundraising in my effort to make the Olympic Qualifying time for the 1996 games. It’s now my turn to give back and help others. I am humbled by the successes but I can look back and smile and be proud as my parents would be. As a father of two girls they have become my teachers and the cycle continues.
Shawn’s wife Andrea said: “I have been proud to support him in his passion for giving back to our community through coaching. I don’t think everyone understands the amount of hours he puts into coaching outside of the time they see him on the court or field. He is always researching drills and plays, as well as consulting with support people when his athletes have issues they need help with outside of sports. The thing that stands out to me most is that he firmly believes and implements the philosophy that coaching is not just about the sport it is teaching young people values and life skills that will follow them through life. When he started with the boys basketball program at Salmon River 20 years ago many of the athletes were spending time ineligible to play because they were failing classes. Also, the team had the reputation of lacking discipline and having poor sportsmanship. He always pushes his athletes to be students first.”
“Through consistent effort, his teams now have good grades and he has had several teams recognized in the section as scholar/athlete teams. To earn this honor the teams have to have 75 percent of the team with an average GPA of 90 or higher. Athletes know that if they play for him they have to put academics first. He pushes his teams to treat officials and other teams with respect and has turned around the reputation of his athletes. Officials regularly comment on the positive behavior of his athletes. He has worked with a local domestic violence program to implement the ‘Coaching boys into men program.’ He took time each practice to go through modules that teaches young men how to treat others with respect in their relationships. He builds strong relationships with his athlete and I have had the pleasure of watching them stay in touch with him once they are adults,” added Andrea.
“Being a coach’s daughter isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said Lauren Martin. “He is the person that helped me begin my basketball career and helped me flourish as a player. I realized he was special when I could see how many athletes looked up to him. From basketball, to track and field, cross-country and the soccer field, he has made such a positive impact on his athlete’s lives. He doesn’t just give advice skill wise to his athletes. He teaches valuable life lessons to his athletes. With the amount of people that look up to him, I realized that I’m so lucky to have a father/coach like him.”
“Shawn Martin is a great coach always in a good mood he gives constructive criticism and is always positive toward his players,” said former athlete Antoine Domino.
Photo Credits: Shawn Martin
