1. Martin Oliver has been a big name in the Great Bridge area for 43 years, serving both Great
Bridge and Hickory High schools over the course of his career as teacher, coach, and Athletic
Director. He claims that growing up in a competitive culture gave him his driven mind set, and
motivated him to earn eight varsity letters. Since then he has taught a variety of subjects and
coached athletic teams for 32 years at Great Bridge, and later transferred to Hickory High School 11
years ago.
He views his basketball coach, Jimmy Calhoun, as one of his mentors, whose support made
it possible for him to go to Elon University on a full scholarship. Martin asserts that everyone has
five people in their life who have influenced him or her a great deal. One will be a parent, and one a
coach or a teacher. Calhoun was the coach, and Harry Blevins was the teacher. At the time, Harry
was principal of Great Bridge High, and is now a state senator.
Martin adds, “You know what? A teacher is a coach.” Teachers and coaches are equally
responsible for the development and guidance of students. For him that was the case, “Jimmy
Calhoun is a true Wildcat. He was not even a coach to me, he was like a father.”
Martin Oliver’s experiences have given him a strong sense of responsibility, competition, and
love of learning and teaching. He refers to his athletes as student-athletes because he recognizes the
importance of education in the athlete’s life. He appreciates the healthy rivalry between schools in
our area. Though, while school spirit is essential for student life and success, he points out that, “it’s
just a piece of the pie” meaning that there are many elements that make up a well-rounded person
and school.
“Academics is number one, then come athletics,” he says. Good grades and good athletic
performance usually go hand in hand. He points out that those who come out to the games to

2. support are just as valuable to the game as the players themselves, for a community that reaches for
a common goal is beneficial to everyone who takes part. However, team members get a different
perspective, which enables them to learn from both wins and losses. It is a unique opportunity that
will teach lessons that relate to life experiences.
Martin never planned to leave Great Bridge, but he did in 1996 because it gave him the
opportunity to create a brand new athletic program at Hickory High School. “I have been teaching
for 43 years,” he says. “I love my job working with athletes and coaches. There has not been one
morning in which I dreaded going to work.”
Martin wants to share his experiences, and to reach his students just as his mentors reached
him. He remembers his most difficult teachers as being the most influential, and has been following
this standard for over four decades. There is no disguising that Martin Oliver has been leaving such
an impression on his students.