Ashley Martin facts for kids
| Jacksonville State Gamecocks – No. 89 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Kicker |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| Career history | |
| High school | Sharpsburg (GA) East Coweta |
Ashley Martin, born around 1981, is an amazing American athlete. She made history by becoming the first woman to play and score points in a top-level college football game. This happened on August 30, 2001. She was a placekicker for the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks football team. She also played on their women's soccer team. Before Ashley, only one other woman, Liz Heaston, had scored points in any college football game, back in 1997.
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Early Life and High School Football
Ashley Martin grew up in Sharpsburg, Georgia. She showed her athletic talent early on. In high school, she played football for the East Coweta High School team. She was a placekicker for them.
During her time in high school, Ashley was also very popular. She was even voted homecoming queen! She accepted her crown while wearing her football uniform. This showed her pride in both her sport and her school.
Making History in College Football
After high school, Ashley went to Jacksonville State University. She joined the women's soccer team there. In 2001, she also decided to join the university's football team. She became a backup placekicker.
On August 30, 2001, Ashley Martin made history. She played in a game against Cumberland University. In the first part of the game, she kicked an extra point. This made her the first woman ever to play and score in an NCAA Division I football game. She went on to kick two more successful extra points in that game. Her team, Jacksonville State, won the game 72–10.
Other Women in College Football
Ashley Martin was one of the first women to score points in college football. Here are some other notable female players:
- Liz Heaston: She was the first woman to score points in any college football game. She kicked two extra points for Willamette University in 1997. Willamette was an NAIA school, which is a different athletic association than the NCAA.
- Katie Hnida: In 2003, Katie Hnida scored points for the University of New Mexico. She became the first woman to play and score in an NCAA Division I-A game. This was the highest level of college football at the time.
- Sarah Fuller: In 2020, Sarah Fuller made history. She was the first woman to play and score in a "Power Five" conference game. She kicked two extra points for Vanderbilt against Tennessee.
See also
- List of female American football players
- 2001 Cumberland vs. Jacksonville State football game
