It’s been over 40 years since 1979 Mountain Home High School graduate Mark Martin picked up an honor from his amateur athletic career, but he can now add one more to the mix. Martin will be one of the Class of 2022 inductees during this weekend’s MHHS Athletic Hall of Honor Banquet.
Martin says it was an honor to be able to compete in nearly every sport offered by Mountain Home, and he sees athletics as a way to teach someone how to deal with adversity in life and the business world.
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Martin, known as “Grinner” in high school, excelled on the gridiron as a four-year letterman and starter. He was selected to the All-Conference and All-State teams and was also named the conference’s outstanding lineman and the MHHS most athletic male during his senior year.
His talent on the football field earned him a spot in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game and a scholarship to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. During his freshman year as a Wonder Boy, he was the deep snapper on punts, field goals and extra points. He became the team’s starting center the next year and was recognized by the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in total offense before an injury ended his career.
Martin elaborates more on the game at Harrison during his junior season as one of his most memorable moments as a Bomber.
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Martin also helped the boys’ basketball program turn the corner during his junior year as the team began winning conference titles, and he received the outstanding defensive award the next year. Martin also participated in baseball and track and field, and he was an Arkansas High School Rodeo finalist in 1977 and 1979.
In 1983, Martin began a 32-year run as a high school football official, eventually serving as the head referee for two Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Games. He was later inducted as an outstanding referee into the Arkansas High School Hall of Fame.
Martin currently resides in Harrison and is a customer service manager for Entergy Arkansas. Nearly three years ago, he was given the John Paul Hammerschmidt Man of Distinction Award for his volunteer work within the community.
Martin continues to follow Mountain Home athletics, including more recently when his nieces, Emma and Abby, played on state semifinal teams in 2019 and 2020 on the girls’ basketball team. He says it gives him a sense of pride to see continued success in Bomber athletics.
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Martin will be honored during the MHHS Athletic Hall of Honor Banquet Saturday in the high school cafeteria. The reception begins at noon, and the banquet and lunch will be an hour later. For tickets, contact the Mountain Home athletic office at 870-425-1285.
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