Martin Newton – the son of the late C.M. Newton, the Naismith Hall of Famer, former University of Kentucky player, coach, and athletics director – has been named Chairman of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, marking a remarkable continuation of his father’s storied legacy in collegiate basketball.
In a move that honors a storied family legacy in college athletics, the NCAA has named the son of the late C.M. Newton — a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee — as chairman of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. The appointment marks a full-circle moment for a family deeply rooted in the sport’s rich history.
C.M. Newton, a towering figure in college basketball, played for the University of Kentucky under the legendary Adolph Rupp before embarking on a successful coaching career at Transylvania University, Alabama, and Vanderbilt. He later returned to his alma mater to serve as director of athletics, where he was instrumental in revitalizing Kentucky’s athletic programs. Known for his integrity, vision, and commitment to diversity, Newton played a critical role in the integration of the SEC and was a highly respected voice in college athletics governance.
His son, following in those footsteps, has quietly carved out his own impactful career in college sports administration. With years of experience in athletic leadership roles, his deep understanding of the game, combined with a commitment to fairness and competitive excellence, make him an ideal choice to chair the influential D1 Men’s Basketball Committee. The committee is responsible for overseeing the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, including the all-important task of selecting and seeding the 68-team field — a process that comes under intense scrutiny each March.
“I am deeply honored to serve in this role, not only for what it means professionally, but also for what it represents personally,” the newly appointed chairman said in a statement. “My father believed deeply in the transformative power of college basketball, and I’m proud to continue that legacy by helping guide the future of the game.”
His appointment comes at a pivotal time, as college athletics faces rapid changes related to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), conference realignment, and expanding media partnerships. His balanced perspective, rooted in tradition but open to innovation, is expected to bring thoughtful leadership to the committee’s work.
As chairman, he will help shape one of America’s most celebrated sporting events, March Madness, ensuring it remains both competitive and inclusive. In doing so, he carries forward the legacy of a father who shaped the game — not just at Kentucky, but across the landscape of college basketball.
Who Is Martin Newton?
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Full name: Charles Martin “Martin” Newton Jr.
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Early life & college: Played college basketball at Samford University (1979–1983), earning All-Conference honorable mention in 1980.
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Professional career: Spent 26 years in sports marketing with Converse and Nike before moving into collegiate athletics.
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Return to Kentucky: Served at his father’s alma mater, the University of Kentucky, in roles that included budgeting, compliance, fundraising, and operations—culminating in a Final Four appearance in his final season there .
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Samford AD since 2011: As Athletic Director at Samford, Newton has overseen unprecedented success, with 56 Southern Conference championships under his watch
Rise to NCAA Committee Chairman
In September 2022, Martin Newton began his term on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, responsible for decisions including tournament selections, seedings, and policy recommendations following several years contributing to the committee, he has now ascended to the role of Chairman, positioning him at the helm of NCAA men’s basketball governance.
A Legacy Continued
Martin’s appointment is deeply symbolic when seen in light of his father’s illustrious past:
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C.M. Newton’s legacy:
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Played on Kentucky’s 1951 national championship team.
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Coached at Transylvania, Alabama, and Vanderbilt (over 500 career wins).
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Served as Kentucky’s Athletics Director (1989–2000), hiring iconic coaches like Rick Pitino, Bernadette Mattox, and Tubby Smith
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Chaired the NCAA Rules Committee (1979–1985), overseeing the introduction of the shot clock and the three-point line.
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Served as Chair of the NCAA Tournament Committee in 1998 and played a pivotal role in USA Basketball, including ushering in the original “Dream Team” in 1992
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Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 .
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Parallel Achievements: Martin’s basketball-centric career—from player, to marketer, to operations leader, to Athletic Director—mirrors his father’s multidisciplinary impact on the sport. Now, as chair of the Committee that decides the fate of the NCAA Tournament, he is firmly stepping into a role his father once occupied, carrying forward a vision of integrity, inclusion, and excellence in college basketball.
Significance of the Appointment
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Tournament Influence: As committee chair, Martin leads discussions on which teams make the NCAA Tournament, how they are seeded, and the criteria used—setting the tone for postseason structure and fairness.
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Strategic Vision: He shapes policy on issues such as tournament expansion, transparency, and operational logistics.
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Leadership Representation: Serving as Athletic Director at a mid-major institution like Samford gives the committee valuable perspective across all levels of Division I athletics.
In Summary (around 600 words)
Martin Newton has taken a definitive step into leadership by being named Chairman of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. His journey—spanning collegiate play, marketing roles at global brands, and Athletic Director duties at Samford—is the culmination of decades of dedication to college basketball. This appointment is both a milestone in his own career and a poetic tribute to the lasting influence of C.M. Newton.
Just as his father helped revolutionize the game—introducing key rules changes, expanding racial inclusion, and steering landmark national teams—Martin is now positioned to guide NCAA men’s basketball toward a new chapter. His role as chair gives him a seat at the decision‑making table, where he’ll shape the future of the sport at its highest collegiate level.
This continuation of the Newton legacy exemplifies the blend of reverence for tradition and ambition for progress that has defined both careers. Through Martin’s leadership, the values of fairness, opportunity, and innovation tied to his family name remain deeply woven into the fabric of college basketball.
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