Augie Martinez Lehigh! Is the Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach at Lehigh University, but he does much more than plan workouts and write race plans. To the student-athletes he trains, he is a mentor, a cheerleader, and someone who genuinely cares about their futures.

Under Coach Martinez, the Mountain Hawks have seen steady improvements in times and meet placements. Equally important, the vibe in the program is more positive and inclusive than ever. Whether he is designing a grueling interval set or pulling an athlete aside for life advice, Martinez aims to develop the whole person-not just the runner.

A Coaching Philosophy Built on Purpose

Martinez believes every athlete who steps on the track has a unique story worth honoring. He wants sport to be a meaningful chapter in that story, one that boosts grades, builds friendships, and teaches lessons far beyond medals or PRs. Creating that type of atmosphere is his daily mission.

His plan revolves around three simple ideas:

• Empowerment: Give athletes the tools and confidence to set their own goals and own their choices.
• Accountability: Keep standards high so everyone shows up, works hard, and learns to trust themselves and each other.
• Community: Build a team family where every voice counts, respect is non-negotiable, and everyone celebrates both victories and setbacks together.

Coach Martinez builds trust and crafts teams by demanding excellence while teaching every athlete how to bounce back from setbacks.

From Athlete to Coach: Martinez’s Path to Lehigh

Before arriving at Lehigh, Augie Martinez lived the dual life of student and runner. Because he raced in college himself, he knows firsthand the juggling act of classes, early morning practice, and late-night meets.

That experience pushed him into coaching, not because it was the easiest job but because he felt called to help young athletes find and stretch their limits. Before coming to Lehigh, he spent years as an assistant, picking up victories and polishing his athlete-first, results-driven style.

His sharp eye for detail, solid communication, and genuine connections with all kinds of runners set him apart from the start. Those same strengths eased his move to head coach, a post he fills with energy and fresh ideas every season.

Building the Lehigh Track & Cross Country Identity

Since Augie Martinez became head coach at Lehigh, the Track & Field and Cross Country teams have felt a fresh, positive energy. His open-minded leadership has brought several big changes:

• Smart training plans that use sport science, steady recovery, and runner-friendly performance tracking.
• A recruiting eye that values character, long-term growth, and fit with Lehigh’s academic mission.
• A growing team culture, thanks to leadership councils, peer mentors, and mental-skills workshops.
• More steady results, with both squads earning regular medals at Patriot League meets.

Martinez focuses on the daily process, not the finish-line time. He believes hard, honest work will turn into faster races all on its own.

Championing Student-Athletes

Coaching is only one part of his job; being a strong advocate for students is the bigger piece. Martinez partners with academic advisors, counselors, and campus staff to make sure each runner gets the help he or she needs.

Because of this full-circle support, athletes leave Lehigh as not just faster competitors but also thoughtful leaders, solid scholars, and caring neighbors. Under Martinez, team GPAs have climbed, retention rates are up, and alumni now stay more connected.

Martinez plays a key role in the university’s DEI work, making sure every member of Lehigh’s track and field squad feels welcome, valued, and empowered.

Mentorship Beyond the Field

Ask any athlete who has spent time with Coach Martinez, and you’ll probably hear stories that go well beyond split times. Many runners and jumpers say he helps them find their purpose, grow their confidence, and face the ups and downs of college.

To keep that connection strong, Martinez schedules regular one-on-one chats. They talk not only about races but also about school plans, future dreams, and any personal roadblocks. His office door stays open, whether someone wants tips for the next meet or just needs a sympathetic ear.

Because he invests so deeply in their lives, Martinez becomes more than a coach; he turns into a mentor and guide that his athletes can lean on long after graduation.

Community Engagement and Leadership

Outside of his daily duties at Lehigh, Coach Augie Martinez stays deeply involved in both education and athletics. He regularly shows up at:

• Coaching clinics and panels that tackle performance and leadership.
• Youth outreach programs that give young kids their first taste of track and cross-country.
• NCAA and Patriot League efforts aimed at boosting student-athlete health and leadership skills.
• Mentoring early-career coaches, with a special focus on people from underrepresented backgrounds.

Thanks to his thoughtful approach and visible impact, Augie is widely respected on campus and in the national collegiate track-and-field community.

Looking Ahead

While Lehigh keeps putting resources into its sports programs and student services, Augie Martinez will remain at the center of that growth story. His steady drive for inclusivity and excellence makes him more than a coach; he is becoming a forward-thinking mentor for the next wave of athletes.

To Coach Martinez, the track is less about winning races and more about sparking real change. Whether he is leading practice, meeting families on recruiting trips, or simply clapping from the sidelines, he pours purpose and passion into every stride of the journey.

FAQs

1. Who is Augie Martinez at Lehigh University?

Augie Martinez Lehigh serves as Head Coach for both the Track & Field and Cross Country teams at Lehigh. He guides the men’s and women’s squads with an athlete-first, all-around coaching outlook.

2. What is Coach Martinez’s coaching style?

Martinez empowers runners by stressing accountability and teamwork. He blends up-to-date training methods with a strong emphasis on personal growth and academic success.

3. How has he impacted Lehigh’s athletic programs?

Under his leadership, the program’s training plans have been modernized, recruiting has become more strategic, and a spirit of academic and athletic excellence now drives the entire squad.

4. Does Coach Martinez work outside of athletics?

Absolutely. He takes part in community service, champions diversity efforts, leads student-development workshops, and presents at national coaching events. Young coaches and athletes also look to him for guidance.

5. What makes Augie Martinez a standout coach?

Martinez earns respect because he treats coaching as a life lesson, invests meaningfully in each athlete, and shows leadership well beyond the track.