James and Todd Selected as 2023 Stephen Martin Scholars
Sep 21, 2023 | General, Men's Basketball, Track & Field
NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University Athletics announced today that Sion James and Kaia Todd are the 2023 recipients of the Stephen Martin Scholars.
The Stephen Martin Scholars honors Stephen Martin, who broke the color barrier in the Southeastern Conference when he played his first baseball contest for Tulane in 1965. Prospective candidates for the honor represent the highest level of character and leadership skills while being academically driven and civic-minded – all characteristics that teammates used to describe Stephen Martin.
"Sion and Kaia are excellent selections as this year's Stephen Martin Scholars," Tulane Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. "Both value leadership and community outreach at a level that certainly would have made Mr. Martin proud. They are fabulous representatives for the Green Wave and we are pleased to have both join such an illustrious group."
James and Todd's recognition is part of the institution's long-term initiative to honor the lasting impact that individuals from diverse backgrounds have made at the University.
James, a junior with the men's basketball team from Sugar Hill, Georgia, and Todd, a junior on the women's track and field team from Birmingham, Alabama are the ninth and 10th Tulane student-athletes to receive this prestigious honor. They join 2019 honorees Jessica Duckett and Keyshawn McLeod, 2020 winners Nick Anderson and Alanna Austin, 2021 selections Sierra Cheatham and Sincere Haynesworth and 2022 recipients Nobal Days and Dynah Jones.
"I'm thankful to be recognized as a Stephen Martin Scholar and join the incredible list of former Tulane student-athletes to receive the honor," said James. "Stephen Martin symbolized what it means to be a student-athlete and to represent the greater community through sports, so I'm proud to continue his legacy."
James and Todd will be recognized by the Martin Family at Saturday's football game versus Nicholls in Yulman Stadium.
"I'm excited to be recognized as a Stephen Martin Scholar," Todd said. "Stephen Martin's legacy has created a space where I can excel in my sport and make a positive impact on my New Orleans community. It's a true honor to be a member of the Green Wave and be surrounded by individuals who share my passion of sports and activism."
Martin and his wife, Brigid Cheri Martin, also a Tulane graduate, were married for 43 years and the couple had three children, Stephen Jr., Nicole and Dana. Stephen Jr. and Dana each earned their college degrees from Tulane.
Born November 2, 1946, Martin was a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, earning his bachelor's degree in Latin from Tulane in 1968 before earning his master's in business administration at his alma mater in 1973.
He served his country in the United States Army and retired as the Chief Financial Officer for Tuskegee University in 2012.
For more information on how to make a gift in honor of the Stephen Martin Scholars Award Program, please visit GreenWaveClub.com or call the Green Wave Club at (504) 865-5356.
FOLLOW TULANE ATHLETICS
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device. Fans can follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
The Stephen Martin Scholars honors Stephen Martin, who broke the color barrier in the Southeastern Conference when he played his first baseball contest for Tulane in 1965. Prospective candidates for the honor represent the highest level of character and leadership skills while being academically driven and civic-minded – all characteristics that teammates used to describe Stephen Martin.
"Sion and Kaia are excellent selections as this year's Stephen Martin Scholars," Tulane Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. "Both value leadership and community outreach at a level that certainly would have made Mr. Martin proud. They are fabulous representatives for the Green Wave and we are pleased to have both join such an illustrious group."
James and Todd's recognition is part of the institution's long-term initiative to honor the lasting impact that individuals from diverse backgrounds have made at the University.
James, a junior with the men's basketball team from Sugar Hill, Georgia, and Todd, a junior on the women's track and field team from Birmingham, Alabama are the ninth and 10th Tulane student-athletes to receive this prestigious honor. They join 2019 honorees Jessica Duckett and Keyshawn McLeod, 2020 winners Nick Anderson and Alanna Austin, 2021 selections Sierra Cheatham and Sincere Haynesworth and 2022 recipients Nobal Days and Dynah Jones.
"I'm thankful to be recognized as a Stephen Martin Scholar and join the incredible list of former Tulane student-athletes to receive the honor," said James. "Stephen Martin symbolized what it means to be a student-athlete and to represent the greater community through sports, so I'm proud to continue his legacy."
James and Todd will be recognized by the Martin Family at Saturday's football game versus Nicholls in Yulman Stadium.
"I'm excited to be recognized as a Stephen Martin Scholar," Todd said. "Stephen Martin's legacy has created a space where I can excel in my sport and make a positive impact on my New Orleans community. It's a true honor to be a member of the Green Wave and be surrounded by individuals who share my passion of sports and activism."
Martin and his wife, Brigid Cheri Martin, also a Tulane graduate, were married for 43 years and the couple had three children, Stephen Jr., Nicole and Dana. Stephen Jr. and Dana each earned their college degrees from Tulane.
Born November 2, 1946, Martin was a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, earning his bachelor's degree in Latin from Tulane in 1968 before earning his master's in business administration at his alma mater in 1973.
He served his country in the United States Army and retired as the Chief Financial Officer for Tuskegee University in 2012.
For more information on how to make a gift in honor of the Stephen Martin Scholars Award Program, please visit GreenWaveClub.com or call the Green Wave Club at (504) 865-5356.
FOLLOW TULANE ATHLETICS
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device. Fans can follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
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