A Life of Service and Leadership
Wayne Martin, a Winchester native, died at age 79, just shy of his 80th birthday, prompting tributes across the Commonwealth.
Martin’s professional journey began in the mountains of Hazard, where he first worked at WYMT‑TV before rising to lead WKYT‑TV in Lexington and later serve as president of WVLT in Knoxville. His tenure at Morehead State University as head coach from 1978 to 1987 produced two NCAA tournament appearances, an Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year award in 1982, and the development of NBA draft pick Bob McCann.
Beyond the sidelines, Martin climbed the corporate ladder at Gray Media, eventually becoming a four‑term member of the MSU Board of Regents and vice chair during the COVID‑19 pandemic. He chaired the Kentucky and Greater Lexington Chambers of Commerce, the Lexington Area Sports Authority, and the Lexington Center Corporation, while also steering boards for Central Bancshares, Central Baptist Hospital, Kentucky‑American Water and the American Heart Association.
His commitment to education manifested in the naming of Martin Hall, a residence hall slated to open in spring 2027, and a scholarship endowment that has surpassed $100,000. In 2025, the university honored him with the Founders Award for University Service, and earlier he received the College of Business & Technology Distinguished Alumni Award.
Martin is survived by his wife Kathy Goins and sons Matthew and Michael, while his brother Chris predeceased him. The community will remember him not only for his professional achievements but for the lasting impact he made on students, colleagues, and the broader Central Kentucky region.