Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Brandon Martin Honored with Mary Etta Taylor-Rose Service Award
April 17, 2020 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State football player Brandon Martin was recently recognized by BSU's Multicultural Center with this year's Mary Etta Taylor-Rose Service Award. The award is presented annually to a student of color who has shown self-initiated service in a variety of agencies and has a consistent history of service to others within the Ball State and/or Muncie communities.
Martin, a linebacker from Indianapolis, Indiana, served on Ball State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) this year as the group's social media and marketing executive. Two of the major SAAC initiatives revolved around diversity and inclusion, and mental health. During Diversity and Inclusion Week, SAAC teamed up with Ball State Sports Link to produce a video showcasing the diversity among BSU student-athletes and how much pride everyone had in being a Cardinal.
Martin came up with the #NoShameInMyGame hashtag that pushed the importance of mental health in SAAC's second initiative. SAAC aimed to emphasize the importance of speaking up about one's mental health issues and finding strength in vulnerability during that campaign. He hopes to put together a mental health forum on campus next spring.
Martin has been involved in a handful of local community organization events as well, volunteering some of his time with Ball State Best Buddies, Ball State Dance Marathon and Muncie Mission. One person who has had a lasting positive impact on Martin is 10-year old Dominick Landreth, a child who was born with mitochondrial disease. Landreth connected with Martin and the rest of the football team in 2018 through the organization Team IMPACT.
Martin was a key contributor on Ball State's defense in 2018 with 66 tackles but only played in the season opener this past fall due to an injury. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Ball State opens the 2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a home game against Maine.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Martin, a linebacker from Indianapolis, Indiana, served on Ball State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) this year as the group's social media and marketing executive. Two of the major SAAC initiatives revolved around diversity and inclusion, and mental health. During Diversity and Inclusion Week, SAAC teamed up with Ball State Sports Link to produce a video showcasing the diversity among BSU student-athletes and how much pride everyone had in being a Cardinal.
I Am Diversity.
— Ball State SAAC (@BallStateSAAC) October 11, 2019
We are #BetterTogether #TakingMACtion@BallStateSports @MACSports@bsusportslink @viewsbyty pic.twitter.com/SJbQOV3MPX
Martin came up with the #NoShameInMyGame hashtag that pushed the importance of mental health in SAAC's second initiative. SAAC aimed to emphasize the importance of speaking up about one's mental health issues and finding strength in vulnerability during that campaign. He hopes to put together a mental health forum on campus next spring.
Let's talk about it.#NoShameInMyGame#ItsOKtoNotBeOK#MentalHealthAwareness@MACSports pic.twitter.com/BRKBRLnGNm
— Ball State Sports (@BallStateSports) February 17, 2020
Martin has been involved in a handful of local community organization events as well, volunteering some of his time with Ball State Best Buddies, Ball State Dance Marathon and Muncie Mission. One person who has had a lasting positive impact on Martin is 10-year old Dominick Landreth, a child who was born with mitochondrial disease. Landreth connected with Martin and the rest of the football team in 2018 through the organization Team IMPACT.
Martin was a key contributor on Ball State's defense in 2018 with 66 tackles but only played in the season opener this past fall due to an injury. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Ball State opens the 2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a home game against Maine.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Players Mentioned
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