UM’s Martinez eager for chance to contribute

ORONO – When Derek Martinez got out of bed Sunday morning, his whole body ached.

The University of Maine senior couldn’t help smiling, realizing the pain was a result of his efforts in the Black Bears’ football game at Northeastern a day earlier. For the first time in his college career, Martinez played – a lot – at cornerback.

Despite missing two full seasons because of knee injuries and sitting out three weeks this fall with a dislocated elbow, Sunday’s pain was welcome.

“All your body parts are achey because you played so much. I haven’t had that feeling since high school,” said the resilient Martinez, who has refused to allow repeated injuries to diminish his spirit.

With five regular-season games left, including Saturday’s home contest against James Madison, the 5-foot-7, 170-pounder from Paterson, N.J., wants to make the best of the time he has left at UMaine.

Martinez has endured a torn anterior cruciate ligament in each knee, the left in 2000 and the right in 2002. He also suffered a torn meniscus in the right knee. The result was four surgeries and endless waiting and rehabilitation.

“He’s a guy with a phenomenal amount of energy, a great attitude, a great passion when he plays the game of football,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “I think it’s a real positive reflection of him and his family upbringing and his value system that he’s been able to persevere through these injuries and to be a good student-athlete and person on this campus.”

In September, Martinez made his first collegiate start as UMaine’s strong safety at Hofstra. Some 60 family members made the trip from New Jersey to watch him play.

During his second series, he suffered a dislocated elbow. Three weeks later, he was back.

“I’ve only had so many opportunities to showcase my abilities,” said Martinez, who appreciates how unpredictable, and seemingly unfair, life can sometimes be.

“You kind of feel like the coaches have invested in you, with a full scholarship, to produce,” he explained. “They talk about the intangibles, the leadership, the persistence I’ve shown, but at the same time I feel like I need to do something out on the field to prove myself.”

As a sophomore in 2001, he was among the Bears’ top performers on special teams. Even while sidelined, Martinez has proven himself a dedicated and committed team member.

After fighting his way back from injuries and disappointment, he has learned not to take anything for granted.

“To go from running around on the field, doing something that you love, to needing help getting dressed or not being able to shower by yourself, it’s humbling,” said Martinez, who never considered giving up.

He said the worst moment was the second knee injury, one he suffered on the first day of the spring season in 2002. When he heard the pop and felt the pain, Martinez knew he faced another surgery, more rehab and another lost season.

For inspiration, he has read Lance Armstrong’s autobiography and has explored nontraditional medicine such as acupuncture and cranial sacrum treatments. Yet Martinez credits his parents, his family, his high school coaches and his friends with instilling in him the kind of fortitude and tenacity he has demonstrated.

“They taught me never to give up,” said Martinez, who will graduate in May with a degree in kinesiology and physical education with a minor in business.

The bond with some of his fellow fifth-year seniors has made the five years special.

“I’m just happy that I’m out on the field with No. 44 [Dennis Dottin-Carter] and No. 34 [Fred Lazo] right next to me in the huddle,” he said. “That’s what drove me during the hard times when I thought I couldn’t do it.”

Martinez, who plans to attend graduate school to earn a Master’s of Business Administration, doesn’t regret a moment he has spent at UMaine.

“Meeting the people I’ve met and going through what I’ve gone through, I wouldn’t trade it in for the world,” he said.