THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604030136
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
CHESAPEAKE
AFTER SPENDING MORE than half his life at Great Bridge High School, green and gold surely runs through Martin Oliver's veins.
But Oliver, who graduated from the school in 1958 and spent the past 32 years as the Wildcats' basketball and baseball coach, will call Hickory High School home when he becomes the Hawks' first athletic director in the fall.
``Great Bridge has been my life,'' said Oliver, a 56-year-old social studies and government teacher. ``But there comes a time to move on.''
Oliver was a three-sport athlete at Great Bridge, starring in football, basketball and baseball before he earned a full basketball scholarship to Elon College. After graduation in 1964, he took his first teaching position at what was then Great Bridge Junior High and was an assistant basketball coach under his former coach Harry Blevins.
From there, Oliver became an institution within the school.
He coached the junior varsity football squad, finishing with a 67-13-6 record, and he wrapped up his basketball coaching career with a 289-345 mark.
At the start of the 1996 baseball season, Oliver is 327-183 and ranks in the top five among the state's winningest coaches.
While Great Bridge has played a huge role in his professional life, it's also touched the personal side.
His two sons graduated in the '80s and his oldest son was a member of the Wildcats' 1983 state championship baseball team. His wife, Beverly, is also a part of the Great Bridge-Oliver love affair. She's an assistant principal at Great Bridge Middle School South.
``I can't say enough about Great Bridge,'' Oliver said. ``I've worked with some tremendous people in my career. That's the hardest part about leaving.
``But I'm not ready to retire. I still want to be involved in athletics. Athletics has been my life. I just hope with this position I can give something back.''
Oliver says that he'll do that by searching for an enthusiastic, innovative staff that will get the best out of the ``better group of athletes'' that he says will be in Hickory's zone.
Oliver added that the Hawks have a bright future with their new facilities and administrative support.
``Yes, I'll be out of coaching,'' he said. ``Yes, I'll miss it. But there comes a time when coaching comes to an end. I'll still be around. It's a great feeling to start a new athletic program. Hopefully, with the coaches we're going to hire, we're going to establish one of the best athletic programs in the state.
``I look forward to working with (Hickory principal) Linda Byrd. She'll make the students feel right at home. She's very athletic minded and student oriented.''
And so is Oliver. He said it was a tough decision leaving behind his players, ones who have all been a part of his Great Bridge family.
``I've never questioned my decision in taking the job,'' he said. ``I'm going to miss all the people at Great Bridge though.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Martin Oliver coached for 32 years at Great Bridge High School.
by CNB