Tim Martin named the 2026 Darren Butler Undergraduate Distinguished Alum

The Ohio University Center for Sports Administration and the Department of Sports Administration will proudly celebrate their OHIO Undergraduate Sport Management Distinguished Alumnus award recipient, Tim Martin (BS,’00, MSA ’02), at the 2026 Darren Butler Sports Business Forum on October 14, in Athens, Ohio.

Martin, who is a two-time graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in sports industry operations and a master’s degree in sports administration, is the Founder and Managing Principal of Cleveland based Gallagher Marketing Agency. The boutique agency services brand clients primarily in the sports and entertainment industry through strategy development, property negotiations, and activation planning and execution.  

“Tim has built an exceptional career over the past 25 years within the sports and entertainment industry at both large agencies as well as his own boutique firm. His innovation and creativity have made a significant impact across the industry, and he is a stalwart supporter of our programs,” said Dr. Lamar Reams, Chair of the Department of Sports Administration. “We are proud to honor him with the Darren Butler Undergraduate Distinguished Alum Award and look forward to celebrating his continued success.”

Martin was selected for this distinction because of his countless contributions to both Ohio University and the sports and entertainment industry through his willingness to give his time, treasure, and talent to benefit students. Specifically, his leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and advocacy are what makes the College of Business proud to celebrate him as this year’s distinguished alumnus.

Over the course of a twenty-five-year career, Martin has spent time at large sponsorship marketing agencies (including GMR Marketing), and on the client side, serving as Vice President of Sponsorship Investments at PNC Bank from 2007-2012.  In 2012, he founded Gallagher Sports (now Gallagher Marketing Agency) to bring executive level sponsorship services to small and medium-sized businesses across the country and around the world.  His client industries have included beer, insurance, telecom, financial services, tech, sporting goods, men’s grooming, and snack foods, and he has partnered clients with sports properties across every major domestic sports league, top European soccer leagues, and marquee athletes, entertainers and influencers.

“Since my first visit to Athens as a high school senior in 1996, OHIO has been an incredibly important part of my life. To receive this recognition is very meaningful and has allowed me to reflect on the importance the University has had and continues to have on my career.  Very few things make me as proud as being a Bobcat and I truly relish when the opportunity arises to engage with the Sports Management Program,” Martin said.

Recently, GMA clients have been awarded the Sales/Advertising/Marketing Management Idea of the Year at the National Sports Forum (2025, DUDE Wipes & Cleveland Browns) and nominated for the Sports Business Journals Brand Activation of the Year (2026, DUDE Wipes & Philadelphia Eagles).  

In addition to his professional success, Martin has spent the past 19 years as a board member of the Northern Ohio Chapter of A Kid Again, including 10 years as Board Chair.