Marty Fortin, a former student, teacher and coach in Yelm, is set to be inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame on May 3 at the Renton Pavilion Events Center as a member of the class of 2021-2022.
Fortin’s work with the annual Mat Classic state tournament, the Principal’s Association, and student leadership helped pave the way for his upcoming honor.
“I’m a little nervous,” Fortin said with a laugh about his upcoming induction. “It’s a great honor to be in the WIAA Hall of Fame and I’m proud to be the second Yelm graduate in the Hall of Fame. Patsy Walker was the first, but the WIAA has served to show that all student activities are essential, not just sports. That’s a big part of what I’ve done and why I’m proud to be a part of the WIAA.”
Fortin graduated from Yelm High School in 1970. As a student, he was actively involved in a variety of clubs and activities. He was recognized by his classmates and teachers for being an outstanding student leader and was later elected ASB class president during his senior year.
Fortin returned to Yelm following his graduated from college in 1975 and began teaching at Yelm Middle School. He later taught at Yelm High School, became a wrestling coach and was the athletic director.
“It was obvious from the beginning that he had the knowledge base and leadership skills that made him an excellent teacher,” stated Mike Taylor, one of Fortin’s colleagues, in a letter of recommendation to the Hall of Fame. “Marty is an interesting blend, an exacting coach, nurturing mentor and quiet leader. I experienced that as a principal when I worked with him as a student leader, and later as a teacher and advisor of student activities at the middle school and high school levels.”
Fortin taught science and was the director of student activities and athletics for Yelm Community Schools. He developed the curriculum that he would later teach in his leadership class at Yelm High School, which received national recognition.
The class was developed around the principles of communication, leadership skills, self-awareness, human relationships and organization tools and assessments.
Aside from leadership, Fortin has worked on the management team at the Mat Classic since the first annual tournament. He started out by managing the 3A classification, but now runs the 4A classification.
“I was invited the first year and they said we have this new idea for a wrestling tournament with all classifications wrestling in the same place. I was asked if I’d become involved with it,” Fortin said. “I really enjoyed doing it and I just kept getting invited back.”
One of Fortin’s favorite memories from his involvement with the Mat Classic was when the WIAA celebrated 50 years of wrestling in Washington. He added the original state champions from the WIAA’s first year attended the celebration, which took place around 20 years ago.
Fortin said he was originally recruited by the WIAA to run coaching workshops for cheerleading in the mid-1980s after new rules were adopted.
He was later hired at Cispus Learning Center in 1991 and went on to work there for 27 years. Fortin said he taught ASB finance for 20 years and various workshops around Washington.
“The other thing I did at Cispus that I’m proud of is we became accredited to offer credits in science and math. We did summer workshops on five different university campuses and managed to give students math or science credits,” Fortin said. “I probably helped 2,000 high school students improve their credits that way.”
Lana Yenne, a teacher at Yelm Middle School, was a student in Fortin’s eighth grade class. She was also a geology student of Fortin’s at Yelm High School after he switched schools.
Fortin inducted Yenne into the Washington Activity Coordinators Association Hall of Fame, which Yenne said was a special moment for her.
“Marty has been an inspiration for so many people in Washington,” Yenne said. “He’s really well known for his leadership and generosity. He’s very kind hearted, and he and his wife are probably two of the most well known people in the state as far as leadership. He’s a servant leader. He’s done so many things for other people.”
She said Fortin has been an inspiration to her, especially in the aspect of leadership, and noted he always ensured his students had a voice.
“We’re including everyone in our schools, in athletics, too. All kids belong and all kids are important. School is for everyone. This is what Marty instilled in us,” Yenne said. “He was always looking for ways to highlight voices, not just the athletes or leaders. He wanted all students to know their impact is important.”
Gaylord Strand, the boys wrestling coach at Yelm High School, knows Fortin well. Fortin was the wrestling coach at Yelm Middle School as Strand gained the experience he needed to become a young head coach at the high school. Fortin later took on the role of athletic director and became Strand’s boss.
“He’s very positive. I’ve never heard any negative things ever. He’s always there if you need help. He’d take his shirt off his back if you needed it,” Strand said. “We’ve kept in touch over the years and I’m glad we have.”
Strand said each year at the Mat Classic tournament Fortin takes pictures of different grapplers who participate in the tournament. Fortin then later sends a postcard that features a photo of the coach interacting with his athletes during the tournament, Strand said.
Strand said Fortin has left his mark on Yelm and the Mat Classic tournament.
“He’s worked with the Mat Classic for a long time,” Strand said. “He’s doing a great job with that and it takes so much to run that tournament.”
