David W. Martens, PhD.
David Martens grew up in West Haven and attended West Haven Public Schools. In high school Dave was on the track team where he excelled. In the pole vault he broke the school record and then his own record many times. He attended Southern Connecticut State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education, a Master of Science in Physical Education while working as a graduate assistant and a 6th Year in Administration and Supervision. In 1992, he earned his PhD at the University of Connecticut with a concentration in Sport Biomechanics.
He began as an instructor at SCSU in 1974 in the Health and Physical Education Department in the undergraduate program. He also was the assistant coach of the Men’s Swim Team for twenty years. He started and coached the Men’s Water Polo Team which won several New England Championships as well as an Eastern Water Polo Championship. Often, when the department wanted to add a new course that required additional training, Dave would volunteer to prepare and teach the course. One example of this was to add a Scuba Program. It was during this time that Dave co-founded a Marine Studies Institute with Dr. Harry Haakonsen which included seamanship, piloting and scuba diving in the Florida Keys. When a faculty member was needed to teach kinesiology and graduate biomechanics courses, Dave prepared by completing his PhD program.
Branford Schools also benefitted from Dr. Martens’ knowledge and expertise. When John O’Connor started a water polo team for the Branford High School’s Boys’ Swim Team, Dave brought his team from Southern to work with John’s team. During a Sabbatical from Southern, Dave helped at Walsh Intermediate School, not only with Project Adventure, but lectured and demonstrated scuba in several science classes. He also explained the basics of scuba and kinesiology principles using a skeleton at the Sliney School. At Branford High School, he helped to coach the Boys’ Track Team in pole vaulting. He ran the pole vault event at their meets and knowing that many schools did not have a pole vault coach, he would often coach and teach the vaulters from other teams when he thought he could be of help. His pole vaulters from Branford included a Class M and State Open Champion; his son Chris.
Dr. Martens’ influence extended to almost every physical education teacher in Branford. Whether as a student, mentor, adviser, or colleague, he was respected and admired. In his 36 years of teaching in the Exercise Science Department, he was instrumental in the development of hundreds of physical education teachers.
Dr. Martens belonged to many professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, International Biomechanics Society and the National Association of Underwater Instructors. Dave authored or co-authored sixteen articles that were published which included “Case Study: Rehabilitation of a Ruptured Biceps Tendon” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and “A Kinematic Analysis of a Static Balance Task by Deaf Children” Clinical Kinesiology.
At the end of his career, Dr. Martens was the Chairman of the Exercise Science Department for six years and retired in 2009. He has been married to Carol Benson for 45 years. They have two children, Jennifer and Christopher who attended Branford schools. Jen has taught 4th grade at Tisko and now 4th grade at Murphy and Chris is an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Delaware, continuing their family teaching tradition. Dave and Carol also have four beautiful grandchildren; Benson, Noah, Jacob and Eliza.
Dave Martens knowledge and expertise have never been questioned. However, what made him truly unique is the incredible personal influence he had on his students. In his nominations, former students and colleagues wrote: “Dave Martens’ enthusiasm and knowledge as an educator made this the best learning experience that I could have imagined". “Two generations of students recognize Dave Martens as an outstanding educator who provided them with academic and athletic development, life skills and personal guidance.
He began as an instructor at SCSU in 1974 in the Health and Physical Education Department in the undergraduate program. He also was the assistant coach of the Men’s Swim Team for twenty years. He started and coached the Men’s Water Polo Team which won several New England Championships as well as an Eastern Water Polo Championship. Often, when the department wanted to add a new course that required additional training, Dave would volunteer to prepare and teach the course. One example of this was to add a Scuba Program. It was during this time that Dave co-founded a Marine Studies Institute with Dr. Harry Haakonsen which included seamanship, piloting and scuba diving in the Florida Keys. When a faculty member was needed to teach kinesiology and graduate biomechanics courses, Dave prepared by completing his PhD program.
Branford Schools also benefitted from Dr. Martens’ knowledge and expertise. When John O’Connor started a water polo team for the Branford High School’s Boys’ Swim Team, Dave brought his team from Southern to work with John’s team. During a Sabbatical from Southern, Dave helped at Walsh Intermediate School, not only with Project Adventure, but lectured and demonstrated scuba in several science classes. He also explained the basics of scuba and kinesiology principles using a skeleton at the Sliney School. At Branford High School, he helped to coach the Boys’ Track Team in pole vaulting. He ran the pole vault event at their meets and knowing that many schools did not have a pole vault coach, he would often coach and teach the vaulters from other teams when he thought he could be of help. His pole vaulters from Branford included a Class M and State Open Champion; his son Chris.
Dr. Martens’ influence extended to almost every physical education teacher in Branford. Whether as a student, mentor, adviser, or colleague, he was respected and admired. In his 36 years of teaching in the Exercise Science Department, he was instrumental in the development of hundreds of physical education teachers.
Dr. Martens belonged to many professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine, International Biomechanics Society and the National Association of Underwater Instructors. Dave authored or co-authored sixteen articles that were published which included “Case Study: Rehabilitation of a Ruptured Biceps Tendon” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and “A Kinematic Analysis of a Static Balance Task by Deaf Children” Clinical Kinesiology.
At the end of his career, Dr. Martens was the Chairman of the Exercise Science Department for six years and retired in 2009. He has been married to Carol Benson for 45 years. They have two children, Jennifer and Christopher who attended Branford schools. Jen has taught 4th grade at Tisko and now 4th grade at Murphy and Chris is an assistant professor and researcher at the University of Delaware, continuing their family teaching tradition. Dave and Carol also have four beautiful grandchildren; Benson, Noah, Jacob and Eliza.
Dave Martens knowledge and expertise have never been questioned. However, what made him truly unique is the incredible personal influence he had on his students. In his nominations, former students and colleagues wrote: “Dave Martens’ enthusiasm and knowledge as an educator made this the best learning experience that I could have imagined". “Two generations of students recognize Dave Martens as an outstanding educator who provided them with academic and athletic development, life skills and personal guidance.
Letters of Nomination
I would like to take this opportunity to nominate Dr. David Martens to the Branford's Education Hall of Fame.
Dave is a retired professor from the Physical Education Department at Southern Connecticut State University and was also their department chairperson. He taught many of Southern’s undergraduate and graduate courses in P.E., including developing and instructing the SCUBA program. He also spent many years coaching both Water polo and Swimming. He achieved his Doctorate in Biomechanics at UCONN.
Dave was instrumental in the development of thousands of Physical Education teachers during his tenure at the University and particularly influenced countless Branford teachers. Every physical education teacher in Branford has either interacted with Dave as a student or as a colleague throughout their careers. In my case, I benefited from his role as teacher, mentor, advisor and friend.
I was recently at an Invitational Track Meet in Rhode Island with our high school team and a man approached me to inquire if I was from Branford. Following my confirmation, he explained how he lived in New Hampshire now but had grown up in Branford and attended Southern CT. As we reminisced over common acquaintances he asked if I knew his favorite teacher, Dave Martens. This was not the first time I’d had similar conversations with complete strangers. Dave was the kind of teacher who everyone loved and remembered.
I first met Dave when I took his track/archery class. Because of that class, I asked if he would consider taking me as one of his advisees. I knew that he would be the right person to inspire me to succeed as a student. I remember him making an exception, adding a spot for me as one of his students (typical Dr. Martens). As a teacher Dave was funny, genuine and had a way of making everyone feel important. I remember his love for what he was doing and how very good at it he was. That passion for the profession was evident, and as students that excitement transferred directly to us. I credit him with my decision to pursue a teaching career and with his help ultimately finding a job in his own home town. His professionalism and enthusiastic teaching style was something that I wished to emulate in my future career.
The Martens Family has lived in Branford since Dave and his wife Carol left College. Both of their children, Jen and Chris, were Branford scholar/athletes which led Dave to volunteer as the high school Pole Vault coach. His involvement with the program helped countless track athletes and coaches alike. His volunteerism didn’t stop there. Dave also contributed his time and efforts towards developing the impressive sets which provided a backdrop for many of Branford’s theater productions.
In conclusion, as I look back over Dave’s endless impacts on the Branford community and teachers in general, I’m honored to be able to nominate him to the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
Dave is a retired professor from the Physical Education Department at Southern Connecticut State University and was also their department chairperson. He taught many of Southern’s undergraduate and graduate courses in P.E., including developing and instructing the SCUBA program. He also spent many years coaching both Water polo and Swimming. He achieved his Doctorate in Biomechanics at UCONN.
Dave was instrumental in the development of thousands of Physical Education teachers during his tenure at the University and particularly influenced countless Branford teachers. Every physical education teacher in Branford has either interacted with Dave as a student or as a colleague throughout their careers. In my case, I benefited from his role as teacher, mentor, advisor and friend.
I was recently at an Invitational Track Meet in Rhode Island with our high school team and a man approached me to inquire if I was from Branford. Following my confirmation, he explained how he lived in New Hampshire now but had grown up in Branford and attended Southern CT. As we reminisced over common acquaintances he asked if I knew his favorite teacher, Dave Martens. This was not the first time I’d had similar conversations with complete strangers. Dave was the kind of teacher who everyone loved and remembered.
I first met Dave when I took his track/archery class. Because of that class, I asked if he would consider taking me as one of his advisees. I knew that he would be the right person to inspire me to succeed as a student. I remember him making an exception, adding a spot for me as one of his students (typical Dr. Martens). As a teacher Dave was funny, genuine and had a way of making everyone feel important. I remember his love for what he was doing and how very good at it he was. That passion for the profession was evident, and as students that excitement transferred directly to us. I credit him with my decision to pursue a teaching career and with his help ultimately finding a job in his own home town. His professionalism and enthusiastic teaching style was something that I wished to emulate in my future career.
The Martens Family has lived in Branford since Dave and his wife Carol left College. Both of their children, Jen and Chris, were Branford scholar/athletes which led Dave to volunteer as the high school Pole Vault coach. His involvement with the program helped countless track athletes and coaches alike. His volunteerism didn’t stop there. Dave also contributed his time and efforts towards developing the impressive sets which provided a backdrop for many of Branford’s theater productions.
In conclusion, as I look back over Dave’s endless impacts on the Branford community and teachers in general, I’m honored to be able to nominate him to the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
Dave Marten’s lifetime contributions to learning at Southern Connecticut State University and the Branford community are extensive and impressive.
Dave has been and outstanding educator at Southern Connecticut since the mid 1970’s. His students have continually been in awe of his teaching. Comments like, “He was the best teacher I ever had at Southern”; and “His course was one of the most difficult in the program”; “He tried to make it interesting and understandable;” “He was always fair, going out of his way to be available to students and giving them the opportunity to do their best” are representative remarks from his former students. Dave was liked and respected by students at Southern. He always found time to assist students with their academic and personal problems.
Dave taught in the Exercise Science Dept. since 1974 until his retirement. His extraordinary leadership on Southern’s Faculty Senate and the Promotion and Tenure Committee stand as strong evidence that Dave was highly respected by his Southern colleagues and Southern’s administration. Dave’s active involvement in a significant number of professional organizations is characteristic of his superior professionalism, particularly the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the International Society of Biomechanics and Sports.
Dave’s service to Southern Connecticut State University as a coach of swimming (20 years), coach of the water team which won a large number of New England championships and an Eastern Water Polo Championship, have been recognized by the University. Dave earned graduate degrees during his service to Southern, including a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.
At a glance at Dave’s distinguished career at Southern might easily overshadow his extensive contributions to learning in Branford. He served as a volunteer pole vault coach at Branford High School between 2002 and 2005 and conducted pole vault clinics for area high school athletes. His positive attitude and guidance impacted many Branford students to continue their education, particularly at Southern. He regularly assisted athletes on teams that Branford competed with, providing instruction about how they could improve their performance. He was a volunteer swim coach for the Branford Sting Rays.
Dave offered several lectures and demonstrations to classes at WIS and Sliney School, teaching students about SCUBA. He assisted at field days, the Project Adventure climbing program and archery. At the Hammerfest Triathlon at the Owenego, Dave used his boat to provide safety for swimmers.
Two generations of students recognize Dave Martens as an outstanding educator who provided them with academic and athletic development, life skills and personal guidance. At Southern Dave began his career as a graduate assistant in 1973. In 1974 he became a teaching instructor in physical education, ran the University’s intramural program and served as assistant coach for the school’s swim team. As a member of the Exercise Science Dept., he instructed in kinesiology and graduate bio mechanics.
Dave Martens is very deserving of induction into Branford’s Education Hall of Fame for his distinguished career at Southern Connecticut and to the town of Branford. He personifies what it is to be a great teacher like many of our other nominees. What sets him apart from many is his long, continuing and stellar commitment to his students in the classroom and beyond.
Dave has been and outstanding educator at Southern Connecticut since the mid 1970’s. His students have continually been in awe of his teaching. Comments like, “He was the best teacher I ever had at Southern”; and “His course was one of the most difficult in the program”; “He tried to make it interesting and understandable;” “He was always fair, going out of his way to be available to students and giving them the opportunity to do their best” are representative remarks from his former students. Dave was liked and respected by students at Southern. He always found time to assist students with their academic and personal problems.
Dave taught in the Exercise Science Dept. since 1974 until his retirement. His extraordinary leadership on Southern’s Faculty Senate and the Promotion and Tenure Committee stand as strong evidence that Dave was highly respected by his Southern colleagues and Southern’s administration. Dave’s active involvement in a significant number of professional organizations is characteristic of his superior professionalism, particularly the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the International Society of Biomechanics and Sports.
Dave’s service to Southern Connecticut State University as a coach of swimming (20 years), coach of the water team which won a large number of New England championships and an Eastern Water Polo Championship, have been recognized by the University. Dave earned graduate degrees during his service to Southern, including a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.
At a glance at Dave’s distinguished career at Southern might easily overshadow his extensive contributions to learning in Branford. He served as a volunteer pole vault coach at Branford High School between 2002 and 2005 and conducted pole vault clinics for area high school athletes. His positive attitude and guidance impacted many Branford students to continue their education, particularly at Southern. He regularly assisted athletes on teams that Branford competed with, providing instruction about how they could improve their performance. He was a volunteer swim coach for the Branford Sting Rays.
Dave offered several lectures and demonstrations to classes at WIS and Sliney School, teaching students about SCUBA. He assisted at field days, the Project Adventure climbing program and archery. At the Hammerfest Triathlon at the Owenego, Dave used his boat to provide safety for swimmers.
Two generations of students recognize Dave Martens as an outstanding educator who provided them with academic and athletic development, life skills and personal guidance. At Southern Dave began his career as a graduate assistant in 1973. In 1974 he became a teaching instructor in physical education, ran the University’s intramural program and served as assistant coach for the school’s swim team. As a member of the Exercise Science Dept., he instructed in kinesiology and graduate bio mechanics.
Dave Martens is very deserving of induction into Branford’s Education Hall of Fame for his distinguished career at Southern Connecticut and to the town of Branford. He personifies what it is to be a great teacher like many of our other nominees. What sets him apart from many is his long, continuing and stellar commitment to his students in the classroom and beyond.
The purpose of this letter is to very strongly recommend Dr. David Martens for induction into the Branford Education Hall of Fame. I was a professional colleague who worked closely with Dr. Martens from August, 1984 until his retirement in May, 2010.
Dr. Martens taught thousands of students during his teaching career in a variety of classroom settings including the: gymnasium, pool, ocean, laboratory, and archery range. Early on in his career, Dr. Martens taught a variety of swimming courses up through Water Safety Instructor. When the department wanted to offer a SCUBA class, Dr. Martens stepped up and became a certified SCUBA instructor. While teaching SCUBA, Dr. Martens crossed disciplines with the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Over the years, Dr. Martens and colleagues in Chemistry and Biology took students on field trips to the Caribbean to study various marine species.
The Exercise Science Department was in need of a true Kinesiology/Biomechanics professor in the
late 1980’s and again, David Martens stepped up and applied and was admitted to the Ph.D.
program in Biomechanics at the University of Connecticut and upon graduation became the
department’s undergraduate and graduate professor of Biomechanics. Over the next ~ 20 years, Dr.
Martens mentored both undergraduate and graduate students in the Exercise Science domain of
Biomechanics. Many of these students have gone on to have successful careers in research (John
Stofan, M.S. Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Senior Project Manager, Scientific Operations;
Danielle Day, Ph.D., Novo Nordisk, Independent consultant, Medical Affairs; Robert Kenefick,
Ph.D., United States Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Director, Thermal
Mountain Division). Moreover, Dr. Martens’ teaching style was dynamic, often using humor and
real-life examples, to bring to life complex biomechanics principles. These principles are critical
underpinnings to physical education pedagogy to which he positively impacted hundreds of
future physical educators and coaches in the state of Connecticut.
Dr. Martens’ has positively impacted thousands of students during his time as a faculty member at
Southern Connecticut State University. Therefore, for the reasons stated above, I very strongly
recommend Dr. David Martens be inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
Dr. Martens taught thousands of students during his teaching career in a variety of classroom settings including the: gymnasium, pool, ocean, laboratory, and archery range. Early on in his career, Dr. Martens taught a variety of swimming courses up through Water Safety Instructor. When the department wanted to offer a SCUBA class, Dr. Martens stepped up and became a certified SCUBA instructor. While teaching SCUBA, Dr. Martens crossed disciplines with the Biology and Chemistry Departments. Over the years, Dr. Martens and colleagues in Chemistry and Biology took students on field trips to the Caribbean to study various marine species.
The Exercise Science Department was in need of a true Kinesiology/Biomechanics professor in the
late 1980’s and again, David Martens stepped up and applied and was admitted to the Ph.D.
program in Biomechanics at the University of Connecticut and upon graduation became the
department’s undergraduate and graduate professor of Biomechanics. Over the next ~ 20 years, Dr.
Martens mentored both undergraduate and graduate students in the Exercise Science domain of
Biomechanics. Many of these students have gone on to have successful careers in research (John
Stofan, M.S. Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Senior Project Manager, Scientific Operations;
Danielle Day, Ph.D., Novo Nordisk, Independent consultant, Medical Affairs; Robert Kenefick,
Ph.D., United States Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Director, Thermal
Mountain Division). Moreover, Dr. Martens’ teaching style was dynamic, often using humor and
real-life examples, to bring to life complex biomechanics principles. These principles are critical
underpinnings to physical education pedagogy to which he positively impacted hundreds of
future physical educators and coaches in the state of Connecticut.
Dr. Martens’ has positively impacted thousands of students during his time as a faculty member at
Southern Connecticut State University. Therefore, for the reasons stated above, I very strongly
recommend Dr. David Martens be inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame.
In support of the nomination for Dr. David Martens to the Branford Education Hall of Fame, I offer the following: As a former Branford resident and student, I attended both Branford schools and Southern CT State University. I was lucky to meet Dave Martens when I signed up for his Scuba Instruction class in 1980. He was an excellent instructor who shared his passion for the sport with my class. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t wait to get certified to go diving in the cold, murky waters of New England. After being checked out in all skills during his course, including simulating emergency situations, all possible equipment malfunctions, equipment repair, and thorough testing we were released into the sea. I thought I found New England Nirvana. Little did I know that Dave Martens had more up his sleeve to offer in terms of education that I could take advantage of as a student and be an active participant in. There was also a Southern Nirvana to experience! It was during this time that Dave co-founded a unique course with another professor at SCSU, Dr. Harry Hakenson, which was designed to teach Sailing, Seamanship and Piloting, as well as Scuba Diving. These two professors were pioneers in developing this course, creating a syllabus, submitting it and having it approved by the administration at SCSU. This course was groundbreaking back in 1981 and 1982 and involved many detailed plans to bring college students down to the Florida Keys and the West Coast of Florida to accomplish this. They had to arrange for the chartering of a few 35-40’ sailboats, create an itinerary of anchorages and marinas to stay at, provision the boats, and keep a bunch of 20-year-old students in line, while engaging us in the fine art of sailing with old school technology (no GPS back then!), chart reading, how to not run aground, and teach us teamwork to accomplish these tasks. The safety of the students was foremost in their minds, and I vividly recollect Dave “falling” off of my sailboat while under sail. Of course, this was pre-arranged by Dave and Harry as a man overboard drill, which we found out after! I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in this course in 1981 and 1982, and received college credit. Dave Martens enthusiasm and knowledge as an educator made this the best learning experience that I could have imagined. I know that the students who participated in these courses with me learned to appreciate the ocean, the environment and each other, and it has had lasting effects on all of us. As a result of this educational experience and opportunity, I relocated to Key Largo in 1986, and still work, dive and reside here. My family and I are all avid boaters and regularly get out and enjoy the water, both above and below the waterline, as a direct result of Dave Martens lighting the spark. As a result of this experience, Dave and his wife Carol Martens have become lifelong friends and mentors, and I look forward to bumping into them whenever I visit my family in Branford. Dave Martens is deserving of being inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame and has my enthusiastic support.