Family from the First
Posted on: October 28, 2021
Tigerville, SC (October 28, 2021) Eddie Martin had never met so many friendly people. That outweighed almost everything else that mattered in his decision to attend North Greenville University.
“It felt like family,” he said about his first campus visit. “If you’re looking for a family-like atmosphere that allows you to grow at your own pace and in every aspect, then come to NGU.”
From Hartsville, SC, Martin completed his bachelor’s degree in 2020. He enjoys NGU so much that he enrolled in the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School to earn his Master of Education degree.
“I plan on doing some possible administrative work while also working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes wherever the Lord puts me,” Martin said.
He currently works with the youth group at a local church, Renfrew Baptist in Greenville, and enjoys the relationships he has created, watching the students grow into adults.
As a football student-athlete, he enjoyed several community service opportunities with the football team. He participated in a mission trip to Uganda in the summer of 2019, a mission trip to New Orleans, and served in several cleanup and service projects in the community.
Even though the pandemic halted what he loves (his involvement in community service) and canceled his final football season, he keeps it in perspective.
“It has given me ample time to stop and think about where I want to go in life. It has given me a different appreciation for the things that really matter and has allowed me to see that my only peace is in God.”
Since Martin is enrolled in graduate school, he will complete one more year of eligibility to play his final football season as team captain this fall.
He is grateful for the influence of his NGU professors and coaches.
“I like the professors and how personal they take their jobs. They see us as people and not just a workload or a job they have to do,” said Martin. “The degree program is also very flexible and allows you to look at biblical truths within subjects where it seems like there would be none.”
He says he has never met a coach like NGU Football Head Coach Jeff Farrington, who cares so much about his players’ well-being.
“I remember as a young man signing to NGU and our family going through a tragedy shortly afterward and the coach that I didn’t even play under drove three hours to Hartsville to make sure my family and I were OK,” Eddie said. “His heart showed me that I needed to give this program everything I had for as long as possible. Sports are great, but he showed me he cared outside of my athletic performance or ability.”
Martin plans to complete his last year of collegiate sports and, after graduating with his master’s, marry the love of his life, Lydia Ritter (’21).
