Bowling Green State University Athletics
Hall of Fame
Martin, Ray
Ray Martin
- Induction:
- 1997
- Class:
- 1960
Ray Martin was called, by former swimming coach Sam Cooper, the best swimmer in the first 20 years of the program, and one would have a hard time arguing with that.
As a freshman in 1957, he set numerous records helping the team to an undefeated record. The following season, in his first year as a varsity swimmer, Martin won three events (220 and 400 yard freestyle and 1500 meter freestyle) at the Mid-American Conference meet helping the Falcons to the first of three successive league titles.
His junior season he captured the 100 and 200 meter backstroke events. That year he lost the only race of his career in the MAC meet in the 1500 meter freestyle event as Miami's Bill Mulliken, who was the 1960 Olympic champion in the 200 breaststroke, edged Martin.
Martin earned a spot in the 1959 NCAA meet in both backstroke events and earned All-American honors in both at the meet in Ithaca, N.Y. placing eight in the 100, in a time of 58.7, and ninth in the 200 with a time of 2:11.7.
In the 1960 MAC meet he again won the title in the 100 and 200 bacstroke while regaining his top spot in the 1500 freestyle. His eight titles ranks him among one of the most accomplished individuals in the history of the conference meet, upon his graduation.
During his three-year career at BG, he helped the Falcon swimming and diving program to a record of 34-2, including a perfect 12-0 mark in 1958.
Ray Martin was elected to the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997..
As a freshman in 1957, he set numerous records helping the team to an undefeated record. The following season, in his first year as a varsity swimmer, Martin won three events (220 and 400 yard freestyle and 1500 meter freestyle) at the Mid-American Conference meet helping the Falcons to the first of three successive league titles.
His junior season he captured the 100 and 200 meter backstroke events. That year he lost the only race of his career in the MAC meet in the 1500 meter freestyle event as Miami's Bill Mulliken, who was the 1960 Olympic champion in the 200 breaststroke, edged Martin.
Martin earned a spot in the 1959 NCAA meet in both backstroke events and earned All-American honors in both at the meet in Ithaca, N.Y. placing eight in the 100, in a time of 58.7, and ninth in the 200 with a time of 2:11.7.
In the 1960 MAC meet he again won the title in the 100 and 200 bacstroke while regaining his top spot in the 1500 freestyle. His eight titles ranks him among one of the most accomplished individuals in the history of the conference meet, upon his graduation.
During his three-year career at BG, he helped the Falcon swimming and diving program to a record of 34-2, including a perfect 12-0 mark in 1958.
Ray Martin was elected to the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997..
Chris Fox Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Christie Fransen Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Lexi White Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
BG Football Postgame 9.20
Saturday, September 20
