GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Jim Martin has been keeping the stats for Grand Rapids Catholic Central football, basketball and baseball for 40 years. This weekend, Martin will be inducted into the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Honor for his service. His position at CC is completely voluntary.
His position at CC is completely voluntary.
"I enjoyed it because I was also coaching over at St. Thomas and eventually over at St John Vianney, so I knew the kids coming through the program," Martin said. "I think this is really the first year that I don't have a kid that I coached that I am keeping stats for."
"Now I am actually keeping stats for the sons of the kids that I coached for."
And yet he's always seeing something new. On October 6, Catholic Central senior Nolan Fugate ran for 477 yards in the win over Comstock Park for a single rushing record. "It's like any sporting event you never know what you are going to see, and there is always the opportunity for the once in a great while," Martin added. "He broke a record that had been set it 1965, so it is always fun to see that."
This Friday night will be another chapter in the Grand Rapids Catholic Central and West Catholic football rivalry. Martin has seen a lot of these games over the years.
"I've seen most of the matches between Catholics," Martin said. "All totaled, I've seen and kept score for about 9,000 games in the various sports, and it is always fun when Catholic and West Catholic get on the field."
Friday night's matchup is for the OK Blue title and will be played at Fifth Third Ballpark.
