Introduction for Lanny Martin at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 15, 2025

Our next inductee is Lanny Martin, a 1975 graduate. Lanny played football for St. Pius.

In his junior year, he was named All State, All Metro Atlanta, Lineman of the Week, and Most Valuable Defensive Player.  In his senior season, Lanny racked up 30 tackles in the first two games. And he was captain of the team. Many remember Lanny as the hardest hitting player in his era.

Lanny fondly remembers his teammates; Mike Phelan & Kevin Maloof. They go back to 3rd grade at OLA, where Lanny and Kevin raced each other every day at recess. Mike gets credit for convincing Lanny to attend Pius, as the entire OLA football team was going to Pius.

Reflecting on his high school coaches, Lanny shared he learned the most from Coach Dave Beavin.  Dave shared what he learned from playing at Georgia Tech, teaching him linebacker techniques. Lanny said he took these lessons to college and they helped make him a successful college player as well.

Reflecting on Coach Maloof – Lanny said Maloof was the first coach he ever had that could really show you what they wanted - Maloof was on the field running the plays, throwing and catching and even getting in a defensive stance.

After St. Pius, Lanny attended Tennessee State University, on a football scholarship, playing defensive back, strong safety and corner. His Junior year he led the team in interceptions. Lanny was selected as a Black College All-American defensive-back and played in the Black College All-American game.          

During Lanny’s time at Tennessee State they had the #1 defense in the nation. The team was incredibly close and Lanny is still in touch with his teammates weekly.

After college, Lanny had a successful career as an insurance investigator, and is currently with Gwinnett County Water Resources.

Lanny saw a gap in youth basketball at his neighborhood rec center – there were plenty of coaches for the boys and none for the girls so he decided to coach the girls. He still remembers his first game as a coach, he knew nothing and they lost 46-6 and the kids were crying. Lanny spent the next few weeks in the library studying basketball.

Lanny coached the AAU Girls Georgia Pistols team from 2008-2015, winning numerous State and National tournaments. His biggest goal for his players was to graduate high school and get scholarships to college. He coached players such as Asia Durr (St. Pius/Louisville) and Jasmine Carter (St. Pius/UGA), Diamond Deshields (Norcross/UNC), Briana Jordan (Norcross/Fordam), Brianna Cummings (GAC/George Washington), Andreona Keys (Roswell/Purdue), Anaya Mitchell (Salmen/LSU), Sidni Means (GAC/Mercer/Clemson). Coaching has been his way of giving back.

We are very proud to honor Lanny as a St. Pius X Hall of Famer.