Wabash College Athletics

William K. Martin came to Wabash in 1883 and is remembered today as the pioneer of Wabash athletics. A native of Crawfordsville, Billy began his schooling in the Preparatory School in Kingery Hall.

It was Martin who captained Wabash's first football team of 1884 that earned the title "State Champions" with a 4-0 win over Butler. At the time only Butler, Franklin, and Wabash were playing football, and since Butler beat Franklin and Wabash topped Butler, Wabash won the state title despite a considerable lack of organization and knowledge of the game.

The following year Wabash geared up for the season as Martin spent $7 for a ball they would not use. The Wabash eleven retained the questionable state title but never played a game. In 1886 Martin again captained and quarterbacked Wabash in a more organized football league sponsored by the Indianapolis Athletic Club. Wabash beat Franklin 8-4 and trounced Hanover 23-4 to claim the first official State Championship.

Martin played four seasons of football at Wabash and assisted for three years following his graduation. He also excelled on the baseball diamond. He twice captained the team, in 1887 and 1888, and coached the team for four seasons upon graduation. His 1889 team claimed the first ever Indiana Intercollegiate Athletic Association State Championship with an 11-1 record.