PLAINVIEW, TX – As a child growing up in El Salvador, former Pioneer kicker Daniel Martinez wasn't sure what his future would entail. Through hard work and dedication, Martinez became a Pioneer Football legend, and the work he put in earned him a spot in the WBU Athletics Hall of Honor Class of 2025.
"Being inducted into the WBU Athletics Hall of Honor is more than just an award it's a deeply humbling validation of the years of dedication, discipline, and love I learned to pour into my sport and into representing Wayland Baptist University. It's been a powerful moment of reflection not just on the victories and highlights, but on the early mornings, the late nights, the setbacks, and the perseverance it took to overcome them," said Martinez.
Daniel Martinez came to Wayland Baptist by way of San Salvador, El Salvador to kick for the Pioneer football team. Martinez joined the Pioneers in 2014, which was only the third season of the program's existence after being started before the 2012 season.
After being limited to kick-offs during his freshman campaign, Martinez quickly established himself as one of the top kickers in the Sooner Athletic Conference as a sophomore. He finished his sophomore season by converting 13 of 15 field goal attempts and broke the Pioneer program record for longest field goal made in his first career game after drilling one from 56-yards out. Martinez made two field goals in that season that were 55 or more yards out, displaying true power behind that left leg.
After a tough 2016 season, Martinez bounced-back in a monumental way during his senior season in 2017 and completed the greatest season a kicker has ever had in the history of Pioneer Football. He converted 17 of 23 field goal attempts and tied his program record by drilling a 56-yard field goal in a game against Langston. Martinez also converted 29 of 30 extra point attempts that season, making sure the Pioneers received the full seven points after a touchdown 96% of the time.
Martinez was named a 2017 NAIA First Team All-American after leading the nation in field goals made with 17. This All-American honor Martinez received was the second All-American award in program history. Martinez was also named All-CSFL First Team honors, CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week four times, and NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week once.
Throughout his four-year career as the Pioneer kicker, Martinez converted on 35 of 49 field goal attempts (71%) and 110-of-113 on PATs (97%).
After his senior season in 2017, Martinez was invited to participate in the FCS Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida, which put him on the radar of multiple NFL Teams. He received 11 total CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week awards and 3 total NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week awards during his tenure as a Pioneer.
Despite joining a program that was entering it's third season of existence, Martinez credits Wayland Baptist and the Plainview community for helping him find his purpose in life.
"My time at Wayland Baptist University was truly life changing. It was a journey filled with growth, challenges, and unforgettable memories. As a student-athlete, I was pushed to become the best version of myself not only in my sport, but academically, mentally, and spiritually. The environment at WBU was supportive and faith-driven, which gave me a sense of purpose and belonging, even being far from home. I formed lifelong friendships, worked with incredible coaches and mentors, and experienced what it means to be part of a close-knit community that genuinely cares," said Martinez reflecting on his time at Wayland Baptist."
As an international student, Martinez wasn't sure what to expect when moving to Plainview. However, he showed courage and faith that Wayland Baptist would help him achieve success later in life.
"As an international student-athlete, I had to learn how to adapt, how to overcome language and cultural barriers, and how to keep moving forward, even when things were uncertain or difficult. WBU gave me the environment to grow not just athletically and academically but spiritually and morally. It taught me that success isn't just about accomplishments: it's about character, humility, and how you treat others along the way."
Martinez continued, "Discipline, I've learned, is a trained mind, it's what gives direction to our efforts and meaning to our courage. And Wayland Football, in particular, taught me how to push past fear and nerves in difficult situations. It reminded me that I can't limit my challenges, I must challenge my limits. Wayland didn't just shape me as an athlete; it shaped me as a person. And for that, I'll always be grateful."
Martinez will be inducted into the WBU Athletics Hall of Honor as a member of the Class of 2025 on Saturday, October 4
th at 9:00 AM in the McClung Center on the campus of Wayland Baptist University.
