August 19, 2025
The YMCA of Rock River Valley is excited to announce YMCA Stingrays swim team coach, Josh Martin, is one of the top five finalists for the American Swim Coach Association (ASCA) Impact Coach of the Year Award. He will attend the ASCA World Clinic in Reno, Nevada in September where the winner will be announced.
“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,” said Rachel Rushing, YMCA Stingrays Head Coach, YMCA of Rock River Valley.
Martin has been involved in YMCA aquatic programs since he was three. He began swimming competitively at age six, and continued to do so until high school. Martin began coaching in 2013 for the Buehler YMCA Blue Marlins, and, later, the Lattof YMCA Neptune, with experience working with every level of swimmer. He moved to Rockford in 2021 and began coaching for the YMCA Stingrays swim team.
Martin graduated in 2020 from Northeastern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy, and his M.A.T. in Secondary Education from the same school in 2022. Off the pool deck, Martin is an English teacher at Hononegah Community High School and enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and his daughters Bridget and Adalynne.
“My time coaching the Rays has been nothing short of a blessing,” said Martin. “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 September 2-5 in Reno, NV.
