Windham – After being a fixture on the basketball courts at Windham High School, Head Coach Marty Hill retired this year, having coached the Windham Bombers for and incredible 47 years.
An avid athlete, Hill played basketball, football, and baseball at James A. Garfield High School, graduating as a G-man in 1970. “Athletics were very important for me, growing up,” Hill shared. “Sports provide so many lessons outside of school,” Hill explained. “Things like handling both failure and success, skills like how to work together; lots of truly valuable lessons,” Hill explained. “I wanted to share that with students.” That desire lead Hill to earn a teaching degree at nearby Hiram College.
As a Hiram College student, Hill began his coaching career at Windham Schools, earning the role of Assistant Coach in 1974. Counts himself lucky to have been named head High School Basketball Coach in 1975 “I was fortunate that I happened to be in the right spot at the right time,” he noted.
As a JAG graduate, Hill knew that Windham, while an intense rival to his alma mater, had a great tradition of high school sports. He noted that joining the Windham community was, “a lucky decision for me, where everything just aligned.” He added, “It was a good fit.”
Clearly so, as Hill has been a strong presence in both their athletic program and the community for 47 years, impacting countless young people and their families. He spent his entire 35-year teaching career at Windham. In retrospect, Hill noted, “I was lucky to start teaching and coaching at such a young age. I learned so much along the way.”
Working and living in a small community, Hill feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach brothers, sons, and grandsons. “Seeing the same family for generations,” he noted, “they’ve become like family.” In fact, Hill shared that one of his assistant coaches is the son of a player on the very first team Hill coached when his career began. “It’s like a big family that has grown even larger over the years.”
While Hill retired from teaching in 2009, he stayed on to coach through April of this year. “Leaving my players was one of the hardest things I’ve done,” he explained. “I’m proud of what we accomplished over the years,” He noted. “I’m excited for what will happen for them in the years to come.”
When asked if he’d return to check in on the team, Hill declined, noting that the new coach needs their own chance to start. “These are good players and good kids – I have no doubt that the person who steps in will be a quality coach.” The time spent with his team meant time away from his immediate family, and he acknowledged that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his wife, Jane and his sons Matthew, Jeremy, and Michael.
Although leaving coaching behind is bittersweet, Hill is thrilled to have more time to devote his family, especially their eight grandchildren who range from kindergarten to high school. Hill was happy to note his entire family lives within a mile, giving him and his wife the opportunity to spend time together and attend any number of their grandchildren’s activities, which include travel soccer, track, volleyball, gymnastics, softball, baseball, basketball, cross country, and dance.
Luckily, Hill noted that “having the same aged kids in front of me year after year has kept me young.”
