[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 172 (Friday, October 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF WAYNE MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2025

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
Kentucky icon and longtime friend, Wayne Martin from Winchester, 
Kentucky. Throughout his career, Wayne built a stellar legacy of 
excellence in broadcasting, basketball and education, developing a wide 
network of fans, friends and business partners across our Commonwealth.
  In Kentucky, basketball royalty is a highly coveted currency at the 
collegiate level, something that Wayne Martin obtained at multiple 
institutions. As head coach of the men's basketball team at his alma 
mater Morehead State University (MSU) from 1978 to 1987, he led the 
Eagles to two NCAA tournaments. During his stent as head coach and 
athletic director of then-Pikeville College, his teams earned three 
impressive national tournament trips, bringing great pride to the 
Kentucky Appalachian Mountains. He also served as assistant basketball 
coach at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and head 
basketball coach and business teacher at Pikeville Hjgh School.
  After investing 20 years in education and coaching student athletes, 
Wayne transitioned from earning a spot on the nightly news and sports 
highlights to broadcasting them for Gray Television stations in 
Kentucky. He began his broadcast news career as General Sales Manager 
and General Manager of WYMT-TV in Hazard, Kentucky. As a former 
successful coach, Wayne always had an effective game plan, and he used 
it to move up the ranks quickly in the television news industry. He 
served as President and General Manager of WKYT-TV from 1993 to 2013, 
where he expanded news programming and earned Lexington's first Emmy 
Award for station excellence. He was also promoted as Regional Vice 
President of Television for Gray Television, Inc. and President of Gray 
Kentucky Television, Inc., operating WKYT-TV in Lexington, WYMT-TV in 
Hazard, WBKO-TV in Bowling Green and President of WVLT-TV in Knoxville, 
Tennessee.
  In addition to an Emmy Award, Wayne has earned a number of accolades, 
including Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year in 1982, OVC 
Hall of Fame Inductee in 2004, MSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee in 
1995, the 2017 MSU Distinguished Alumni Award, and most recently, the 
MSU Founders Award for University Service in 2025.
  Wayne has used his legacy on the sidelines and the power of the 
airwaves to give back to the Commonwealth that he so deeply cherishes. 
He hosted annual fundraisers for the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation 
Hospital in Lexington, chaired both the United Way board of directors 
and the annual campaign, and served as chairman of the Children's 
Advocacy Center board of directors. His expert gameplans have also been 
sought after by the Kentucky and the Greater Lexington Chambers of 
Commerce, Morehead State University Board of Regents, Kentucky 
Broadcaster's Association, Governor's Scholars Foundation, Central 
Bancshares, Baptist Health, Kentucky-American Water Company, and the 
American Heart Association.
  Wayne has mentored young entrepreneurs, student athletes and 
journalists who have become respected leaders in their fields and 
established exceptional businesses across the state. His coaching 
success and business expertise have been of great value to Kentuckians, 
building an endearing and longlasting fan base that I am honored to be 
a part of. I salute Wayne for investing in the lives of countless 
student athletes and giving Eastern Kentucky so much to be proud of.

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