Phil Martelli to be inducted into St. Joseph’s Athletic Hall of Fame
Martelli spent 24 seasons as the Hawks' head coach. He led the program to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, three Atlantic 10 championships, and 13 postseason appearances.
Phil Martelli, who led St. Joseph’s to one of the most memorable seasons in college basketball history in 2003-04, will be inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame, Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashwin Puri announced on Tuesday.
Martelli, 72, spent 24 seasons coaching the Hawks, becoming the winningest coach in program history with a 444-328 record. He led them to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, three Atlantic 10 championships, and 13 postseason appearances.
Martelli will be the lone Hall of Fame inductee in the Class of 2027, with a ceremony later this year.
In 2003-04 season, the Hawks, led by national player of the year Jameer Nelson, went 27-0 in the regular season. The team earned its first No. 1 national ranking and a top seed in the NCAA Tournament before advancing to the Elite Eight. The Hawks finished with a program-record 30 wins.
“Coach Martelli is synonymous with Saint Joseph’s basketball and the very best of Hawk Hill,” Puri wrote in a news release. “His achievements on the court speak for themselves. From Atlantic 10 championships and NCAA appearances, to guiding generations of student-athletes to success in the classroom and beyond. More than the victories, Phil’s unwavering commitment to passion, integrity, and care not only transformed Saint Joseph’s basketball, but also left a lasting impact across the national college basketball landscape.”
Martelli was named the consensus national coach of the year in 2004, earned four Atlantic 10 coach of the year honors, and three Big 5 coach of the year awards during his tenure. He also coached seven future NBA players, including Nelson, Delonte West, and Langston Galloway.
St. Joe’s parted ways with Martelli in 2019. His dismissal caused a rift between the school and Martelli for the way it was handled. The 72-year-old went on to finish his coaching career as an assistant and associate at Michigan.
Martelli is still involved with the game by serving on the NIT Selection Committee and the NABC ad hoc advisory committee. He helped Philadelphia’s Coaches vs. Cancer chapter become one of the nation’s leading fundraising groups and received the American Cancer Society’s Circle of Honor Award alongside former Temple coach Fran Dunphy in 2017.
» READ MORE: Through highs and lows in Year One at St. Joes, Steve Donahue found a place that fits him
“With heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Cheryl McConnell and Ash Puri, I am honored to be joining the SJU Athletics Hall of Fame, Martelli said. “My loving family, loyal staff, and special players made this happen. A special acknowledgment to John Griffin and Don DiJulia who have been true confidants throughout my career. I am looking forward to reengaging with all who make Hawk Hill a special place.”
Puri added: “Inducting him into the Saint Joseph’s Athletics Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to an unparalleled legacy.”
