Athletics Hall of Fame – February 28, 2015
Teresa “Trigger” Martin, a 1986 graduate of Coker, helped put Coker athletics on the map as the first-ever athletic All-American in 1985 and 1986 as a member of the women’s basketball team. In just two years as a Cobra, Martin was a two-time All-American, all-district, all-region and NAIA District 6 All-Star selection.
She scored 892 points during her career at Coker, averaging 19 points per game. She scored in double figures in 43 of 47 games as a Cobra, including scoring 30-plus points in seven games and 20-plus points in 20 games. Martin’s career high of 39 points came on Feb. 11, 1985 against Columbia College. She also scored 10 points in the 1986 NAIA District 6 All-Star game.
Upon graduating from Coker, Martin played professionally in the Women’s National Basketball Association from 1986-1987. After retiring from basketball she began a career in pharmaceutical sales, where she was two-time Sales Person of the Year and was runner-up for the award a third year. After four years of pharmaceutical sales, she moved to the highly competitive world of medial device sales where she has spent the last 20-plus years. During that time she earned Ring and President Club status for achieving sales growth of $500,000 and $1 million.
Martin currently lives in Columbia, S.C. and is an advocate for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned South Carolina wildlife. She continues to fuel her competitive spirit by hiking, mountain biking and snow skiing.