The biggest overall impact in shaping my life during my college years from ’70-’74 was the opportunity I had to get a degree and play football. Two men, Fred Martinelli and John Valentine, were great teachers, coaches and role models for me and my teammates. They demonstrated on a daily basis what a great life one can lead as a coach. On and off the field they were upbeat and energetic, appearing to absolutely love what they were doing. I wanted to follow their example and live a similar life to theirs, just as many of my teammates did. As a result, several of us became lifelong educators and football coaches at the high school and college level. Coaches Martinelli and Valentine made Ashland University its own “Cradle of Coaches” and Lee Owens carries on that tradition.
