Fr. James A. Martin S.J.

3 October 2007


MEMO TO : THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

FROM : THE PRESIDENT

SUBJECT : DEATH OF FR. JAMES A. MARTIN, S.J.


Last August 5, during the launch of our Sesquicentennial at the Church of the Gesù, I spoke of one of the founders of the NCAA and of Ateneo basketball, Fr. James A. Martin, S.J.

Last August 30, Fr. Martin celebrated his 105th birthday at the Georgetown community. As a Jesuit scholastic at the Ateneo de Manila 1928-31, Fr. Martin introduced modern basketball to the Philippines and coached the NCAA champion Ateneo basketball and baseball teams. Fr. Reuter told me that Ambrosio Padilla played for him. Last September 18, I visited him at Georgetown and brought him an Ateneo basketball jacket, which he proudly wore to the evening community mass.

This morning, we received word from Georgetown University that Fr. Martin passed away on Monday, October 1, at 6:30 p.m. I am happy that I was able to visit him. He chatted happily about his Ateneo days and I share with you the pictures I took of him in his Ateneo basketball jacket.

BIENVENIDO F. NEBRES, S.J.
President