Mark Martin

Hi, I’m Mark Martin. I’ve had the privilege of serving as Sports Director at WCHS-TV/FOX 11 in Charleston since 2001. It’s been an incredible journey in broadcasting, one that began in my hometown of Ripley, West Virginia, and led to my induction into the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Before coming to Charleston, I was Sports Director at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill. Over the years, I’ve anchored nightly sportscasts, produced feature stories, and hosted popular programs like Friday Night Football Extra and Saturday Sports Showcase. I also call play-by-play for our weekly Friday Night Rivals Game of the Week series—something I truly enjoy.

I’m proud to be part of the Marshall University Thundering Herd Radio Network as a football color analyst. In addition, I call games for ESPN Plus across a wide range of Marshall sports—football, men’s and women’s basketball, swimming, track and field, baseball, and softball. I also host the Marshall football and basketball coaches’ television shows.

High school sports remain close to my heart, and I’ve been fortunate to call West Virginia state championship events in basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track and field, and softball. I also provide play-by-play coverage of the West Virginia State Little League Tournament.

My career in journalism started back in 1979 when I did freelance work for The Jackson Herald. That passion for writing has never left me. Even with a busy broadcast schedule, I’ve continued writing features, game stories, and columns for The Jackson Herald and The Jackson Star News. In 2022, I was humbled to receive the Gene Morehouse Award from the West Virginia Sports Writers Association for my contributions as a writer.

After college, I got my start in radio as a newscaster and sportscaster at several stations before transitioning into television. Since then, I’ve been honored for my work in both mediums by the National Sports Media Association (formerly NSSA), the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, the Associated Press of the Virginias, the Ohio Associated Press, and the West Virginia Press Association.

In 2023, I was deeply honored to receive the Dale B. Miller Award from the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, recognizing me as the state’s top broadcaster.

I’ve been fortunate to earn an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Ohio Valley Chapter) and receive three additional nominations. I’m also proud to be a Ripley High School graduate (Class of 1979), where I earned varsity letters in football and track and field. I went on to earn a B.A. in Radio-Television from Marietta College, where I played football for the Pioneers after spending one season at Salem College (now Salem University).

In addition to my broadcasting work, I authored a book chronicling the NFL coaching career and life of the late Paul Lanham—someone whose story deserved to be told.

Since 2009, I’ve served as Toastmaster for the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Victory Awards Dinner. It’s an honor I don’t take lightly, and I’m proud to have the longest tenure in the dinner’s history. I also regularly emcee sports banquets across the region.

I’m a proud member of the Ripley High School Viking Football Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Football Classic Hall of Fame.

It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m grateful every day to tell the stories of athletes and communities across West Virginia.