Tribute in Honor of Wayne Martin

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Kentucky icon and longtime friend, Wayne Martin from Winchester, Kentucky. Throughout his career, Wayne built a stellar legacy of excellence in broadcasting, basketball and education, developing a wide network of fans, friends and business partners across our Commonwealth.

In Kentucky, basketball royalty is a highly coveted currency at the collegiate level, something that Wayne Martin obtained at multiple institutions. As head coach of the men's basketball team at his alma mater Morehead State University (MSU) from 1978 to 1987, he led the Eagles to two NCAA tournaments. During his stent as head coach and athletic director of then-Pikeville College, his teams earned three impressive national tournament trips, bringing great pride to the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains. He also served as assistant basketball coach at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and head basketball coach and business teacher at Pikeville Hjgh School.

After investing 20 years in education and coaching student athletes, Wayne transitioned from earning a spot on the nightly news and sports highlights to broadcasting them for Gray Television stations in Kentucky. He began his broadcast news career as General Sales Manager and General Manager of WYMT-TV in Hazard, Kentucky. As a former successful coach, Wayne always had an effective game plan, and he used it to move up the ranks quickly in the television news industry. He served as President and General Manager of WKYT-TV from 1993 to 2013, where he expanded news programming and earned Lexington's first Emmy Award for station excellence. He was also promoted as Regional Vice President of Television for Gray Television, Inc. and President of Gray Kentucky Television, Inc., operating WKYT-TV in Lexington, WYMT-TV in Hazard, WBKO-TV in Bowling Green and President of WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In addition to an Emmy Award, Wayne has earned a number of accolades, including Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year in 1982, OVC Hall of Fame Inductee in 2004, MSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in 1995, the 2017 MSU Distinguished Alumni Award, and most recently, the MSU Founders Award for University Service in 2025.

Wayne has used his legacy on the sidelines and the power of the airwaves to give back to the Commonwealth that he so deeply cherishes. He hosted annual fundraisers for the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital in Lexington, chaired both the United Way board of directors and the annual campaign, and served as chairman of the Children's Advocacy Center board of directors. His expert gameplans have also been sought after by the Kentucky and the Greater Lexington Chambers of Commerce, Morehead State University Board of Regents, Kentucky Broadcaster's Association, Governor's Scholars Foundation, Central Bancshares, Baptist Health, Kentucky-American Water Company, and the American Heart Association.

Wayne has mentored young entrepreneurs, student athletes and journalists who have become respected leaders in their fields and established exceptional businesses across the state. His coaching success and business expertise have been of great value to Kentuckians, building an endearing and longlasting fan base that I am honored to be a part of. I salute Wayne for investing in the lives of countless student athletes and giving Eastern Kentucky so much to be proud of.

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