MISHAWAKA, Ind. – In his 12th season as the head women’s basketball coach at Bethel College (IN), Jody Martinez won his 300th game during post-season play for the Lady Pilots. On March 11th, in the first round of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament, Bethel defeated King College (NCAA DII – Tennessee) by a score of 72-53 (Bethel College is a dual affiliated institution – NAIA and NCCAA Division I).

Bethel went on to win the NCCAA National Championship by beating Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (OH) in the semi-finals and then beating Ecclesia College (AR) in the championship game. The win was the fifth NCCAA Division I National Championship Title for Coach Martinez and the Lady Pilots (2010, 2006, 2004, 2003, and 2000).

Martinez’s overall record is 302-125; an average of 25 wins a season. He also won his fifth NCCAA National Coach of the Year Award (2010, 2006, 2004, 2003, and 2000). His teams have finished in the NAIA “Elite Eight” four times: 2008, 2007, 2005, and 2001. In 2009, his team finished in the “Sweet 16” at the NAIA National Tournament. Coach Martinez has also been named the Mid-Central College Conference (NAIA) Coach of the Year three times (’01, ’08, ’09).

Martinez coached five years of high school boys’ basketball before being asked to become the ninth women’s basketball coach in the school’s history during the spring of 1998. The Bethel women’s basketball team had never produced a winning season and had an overall record that stood at 140 wins with 325 losses in its 22-year history. His first year on the bench was the program’s best ever by producing their first 20 win season (21-15) and first trip to the NCCAA National Tournament (finishing 3rd).

He followed up his first season success with a NCCAA National title in 2000, and then in his third year at the helm he won the Mid-Central College Conference and produced a NAIA National Tournament berth in 2001 finishing in the “Elite Eight”.

“It seems like yesterday when I started my first season in the fall of ’98,” states Head Coach Jody Martinez. “I am so blessed to be coaching at Bethel College and have this opportunity to impact student-athletes through the game of basketball. All the success the Lady Pilots have had while I have been coaching could not be possible without the support and love of my wife, Sonya, and my two daughters, Hannah and Josalyn. They are my motivation to be the best in everything I do.

“When you reflect on 300 wins, you also have to thank all the players that have played and currently play for the Lady Pilots. Also, I need to thank my current coaching staff (Chris Hess, Jim Arnold) as well as any past assistant coaches, past and current student-assistant coaches, and past and current managers who were part of this basketball program. I also want to thank Coach Mike Lightfoot (Men’s Head Coach and Former Athletic Director) for recommending me to the Bethel Administration (Dr. Norman Bridges – President and Dr. Dennis Engbrecht – Senior Vice-President) to become a head coach in 1998.

“The most important part of coaching women’s basketball according to me is helping the girls grow into strong spiritual and mature women. Seeing the success that our former players have in life after basketball is what Sonya and I base our success on, not wins and losses,” he concluded.