POCATELLO, Idaho- After finishing his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in December of 2009
Travis Martin enrolled in school at BYU-Idaho. While attending school Martin figured his days of playing basketball at a high-level were over. After spending time in Rexburg, Martin transferred to the Idaho State campus in Idaho Falls.
It was during his time at the Idaho Falls campus that the thought of playing college basketball started to creep into his mind.
“I started thinking about it and I realized it was never too late to follow your dreams,” Martin said. “I wanted to continue to chase my dream. Whether I played or not I didn't know.”
That dream would soon become reality as Martin approached graduate assistant coach Shelby Lindley about walking on to the team. The relationship with Lindley stemmed back to when the two played against each other in high school.
The Bengal walk-on junior has not only been a part of the team but he has also got in four games and made two baskets.
“It has been a great experience,” Martin said. “It is different. It is a busy life with a wife, work, school and sports but I love it. The guys are fun to be around. I didn't know how it would be but I just wanted to get around basketball.”
In terms of the balancing all aspects of his life, including a new little girl that was born on January 25, Martin wasn't sure how it was going to be done.
“I knew everything would come together,” he said. “I work at Dicks Sporting Goods but I don't works as much now.”
Martin is an exercise science major and has goals of being a dentist.
“Part of it is the money of course,” Martin said on his decision to be a dentist. “I know it is difficult but most things are difficult. The money and the schedule are good. I like having good teeth and I work well with my hands.”
As Martin prepares for the future and continues to live his dream of playing college basketball he will never forget his roots with his family that have helped him get to where he is at now.
The Bengal junior has a twin brother who is four minutes older than him and all together there are six children in the family that were raised by his mother. Martin said he and his twin-brother never really played against each other and that when they went one-on-one in practice sometimes be beat his brother and sometimes his brother beat him.
“My mother has helped me stay positive in everything,” Martin said. “My mother was a positive person and she was a very hard worker. She allowed me to do sports. She was the only parent in our house who raised six children. Between her and my coaches I have really learned a lot.”
