Hall of Famer Dr. Fred Martinelli passes away at 92

05/15/2021 ASHLAND, Ohio -- Dr. Fred Martinelli, who led Ashland College/University's football program and athletic program to new, successful heights from the late 1950s into the 1990s, has died at 92. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 220 Sandusky St., Ashland.

Martinelli was the Eagles' head football coach for 35 seasons, and served as Ashland's athletic director for a near-quarter century.

"When no one else believed that Ashland University could develop into a legitimate and successful NCAA Division II athletic program, Fred Martinelli believed," said Al King, Ashland director of athletics, who was the Eagles' sports information director at the end of Martinelli's coaching career. "When no one could see the road to conference, regional and national stardom, Fred could see it. His vision helped propel Ashland University to new heights and not just in Athletics. His blueprint included pursuit of the highest goals and finest student-athletes academically and athletically. Character and integrity were never forgotten, not for one minute. People said Ashland University, and the next words to roll off the tongue were Fred Martinelli.

"Fred assembled and led a crew that lived for this university -- Bob Stokes, John Valentine, Sandy Wilson,  Chris Ford, Lou Markle, Ella Shannon and Carol Mertler. The example they set and the passion they brought to work every day and their commitment to 'Accent on the Individual,' is what our athletic department still tries to follow today. That all began with Fred."

Current Eagle head football coach Lee Owens noted that all of the 150 boosters, alumni and coaches at the program's annual golf outing on Friday (May 15) had been impacted by Martinelli in one way or another.

"I told them all to remember coach Martinelli in their prayers," Owens said. "There wasn't a person at that event who hadn't been influenced by his presence at AU. What greater legacy can you have, trying to build on the tradition of a Hall of Fame football coach?"

"Dr. Martinelli set the bar high for academics, athletics, and integrity,” said Ashland University President Dr. Carlos Campo. “His profound, positive influence on so many who came to Ashland College and University is a testament to his exceptional example."

Added AU Board of Trustees Chair Jim Hess, "Fred's commitment to excellence and his accent on the individual has not only elevated the AU football program to elite status, but he elevated the entire AU community and has been an inspiration to all of us."

Martinelli was Ashland College/University head football coach from 1959-93, going 217-119-12 (.641) with 10 conference championships – Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference in 1960 and 1962-65, and Heartland Collegiate Conference in 1980, 1982 and 1984-86. His 1986 Eagles were the first in program history to reach the NCAA Division II postseason, and two of Ashland's three undefeated seasons were guided by Martinelli – 1967 (8-0-1) and 1972 (11-0).

Martinelli was a five-time MOAC Coach of the Year (1960 and 1962-65), five-time HCC Coach of the Year (1980, 1982 and 1984-86), and earned Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference Coach of the Year laurels in his final season in 1993.

On Aug. 10, 2002, Martinelli was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Fourteen years later, one of his players, defensive end Bill Royce, joined him in the Hall. In 1994, Martinelli was inducted into the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame.

Martinelli coached players who earned 72 All-American awards at Ashland, eight of his players were recognized as first-team All-Americans, and eight of his charges garnered Academic All-America awards. He served as the chairman of the NCAA Division II football committee and the chairman of the NCAA Midwest football committee, and also was on the NCAA district postgraduate scholarship committee, the NCAA general television committee and the College Division All-America selection committee.

The football field at Jack Miller Stadium is named after Martinelli.

In addition to leading Ashland's football program for 3½ decades, Martinelli was Ashland's director of athletics from 1967-91. It was during Martinelli's leadership that the Ashland athletic department moved to NCAA Division II in 1979 in men's sports, and 1982 in women's sports.

During Martinelli's tenure as AD, the athletic program grew from five intercollegiate teams to 18, and the accomplishments were many, including more than 350 All-American honors and 45 Eagle teams ranked in the top 10 nationally.

Martinelli was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, who died  in January. Ruth Martinelli attended most of the athletic events on campus, served as Ashland's cheerleading coach for many years and also taught classes on campus.

Memorial arrangements were unknown as of Saturday morning.

DR. FRED MARTINELLI AS ASHLAND COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) offers each of its student constituencies The Ashland Promise, including “teaching students how to think, not what to think”. Committed to affordability, the University now offers incoming residential freshman the Tuition Relief Scholarship, as well as a variety of new forms of financial assistance for both new and continuing students. ###