New Central baseball coach has local ties – Pueblo Chieftain

Central High School’s new baseball coach, Ian Martinez-McGraw, brings some solid credentials to the job.

Martinez-McGraw grew up in Pueblo. He understands the sports culture. Although he attended and played baseball at South, many members of his family attended Central and he knows all about the school’s athletic tradition.

Martinez-McGraw also brings a solid baseball background. He played on a pair of South teams that advanced to the Elite Eight.

He attended Otero Junior College for two years, and finished his collegiate career playing baseball at NCAA Division I Lipscomb University, where he had the opportunity to play in an NCAA regional.

It was that varied baseball experience that prompted Central officials to offer Martinez-McGraw the job.

Many would consider Martinez-McGraw lucky to get such a coaching position at such a young age — he graduted from Lipscomb only last spring.

Martinez-McGraw wouldn’t disagree.

“I would consider myself fortunate no matter what age I was,” Martinez-McGraw said. “There are seven high schools in Pueblo. There rarely is a vacancy. This is a great opportunity.”

Martinez-McGraw was one of two local prep baseball coaches hired this past Thursday by Pueblo City Schools (D60).

East also has a new baseball coach. Nick Marfitano, who teaches physical education at the school, also was approved by the D60 board.

Marfitano replaces D.J. Latino, who retired after last season.

Martinez-McGraw hopes to have the same type of impact on his new players that his coaches had on him.

“I would hope the players get a lot more out of it than just baseball,” Martinez-McGraw said. “Part of our job is to help turn young boys into men. I hope to put relatioinships past the score, past the last game, last the last interaction.”

Martinez-McGraw said he has relished the opportunity to go back and talk to his former coaches in high school, like Gary Lown, or junior college, like Chris Carrillo.

He hopes his players feel they can do the same.

Martinez-McGraw lives in Pueblo, but teaches at the GOAL Academy in Colorado Springs. He said he doesn’t envision his job will interfere with his coaching duties.

Martinez-McGraw played a variety of positions in high school, but concentrated on pitching in college. Even so, he feels he can be a complete coach.

What he hasn’t learned, he will learn. One of the advantages of playing in college was developing a relationship with his coach and the rest of the coaching staff at Lipscomb.

“I have the outside resources if I need them,” Martinez-McGraw said.

The first day of baseball practice is Feb. 29. Martinez-McGraw figures he will get a jump on the season. He plans to hold a meeting soon for parents and players.

“We can have voluntary workouts,” Martinez-McGraw said. “We want to figure out a good time that’s not going to interfere with the kids who are playing winter sports.”

Martinez-McGraw is eager to get all of that activity going.

“I want to do it sooner, rather than later,” Martinez-McGraw said.

mspence@chieftain.com

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