Rockford YMCA Stingrays swim coach up for national Impact Coach of the Year award

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — YMCA Stingrays swim team coach Josh Martin is one of the top five finalists for the American Swim Coach Association Impact Coach of the Year Award.

The winner of the award — which recognizes extraordinary dedication, hard work and service to others — will be announced at the ASCA World Clinic in Reno, Nevada, in September.

“This is a huge honor, and we could not be more proud of the effort, love, time, and heart Josh has poured into this team and our Y,” Rachel Rushing, head coach of the YMCA Stingrays, said in a news release.

Martin has been involved in YMCA aquatic programs since he was 3, and swam competitively from age 6 through high school. He began coaching in 2013 for the Buehler YMCA Blue Marlins, and later the Lattof YMCA Neptune. He moved to Rockford in 2021 and began coaching for the YMCA Stingrays swim team.

Martin is an English teacher at Hononegah High School. He graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a minor in philosophy. He earned his master’s degree in secondary education from Northeastern in 2022. He lives here with his wife, Stephanie, and daughters Bridget and Adalynne.

“My time coaching the Rays has been nothing short of a blessing,” Martin said. “Each time I’m on deck, I get to marry two of my greatest passions: youth development and swimming. It’s so validating to know my swimmers and their families feel strongly enough about my contribution to put forth the time and effort to recognize me like this. The swimmers mean a lot to me; seeing them grow is one of the most incredible feelings.”

The ASCA World Clinic takes place Sept. 2-5.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas