Middlebury College track and field head coach Martin Beatty '84 was honored as one of four recipients of the Virtue Family Exceptional Service Awards. These awards recognize the varied contributions of faculty and staff to supporting Middlebury students.

Established in 2017 by Ted '82 and Dani Shaw Virtue '82, P'10, '15, the award recognizes individuals who have gone beyond their normal professional responsibilities to support and connect with students and build a more engaged and inclusive Middlebury. Each year, faculty, staff, and students of the College, Institute, Language Schools, Schools Abroad, Bread Loaf School of English and the Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences are encouraged to submit nominations for this award.
 

"Martin is an exceptional candidate for this recognition," said Director of Athletic Erin Quinn '86. "He defines servant leadership in terms of the culture he has created on his teams, and with his service to the department and the College through initiatives like the Faculty Council, the Physical Education and Athletics Committee on Reappointment, the Athletic Department's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Martin embodies what it means to serve in a liberal arts environment."

"I am truly surprised and humbled to receive the Virtue Award," said Beatty. "I am fortunate to work in a place with wonderful people who love Middlebury College and its students as much as I do. Middlebury has done so much for me that it is easy to give back as much as I can. We are blessed to have tremendous support from dedicated alumni such as Ted and Dani Virtue, who have dedicated their lives to help Middlebury on its mission to be the top school that it is now and into the future."

Beatty '84 has served as head coach of the men's and women's track and field teams and as a faculty member in physical education since 1988. During his tenure, Middlebury has won seven NESCAC Championships (five men, two women), placed amongst the top 10 at the NCAA Championships six times, and produced seven individual national champions. 
 
Beatty has been named MidEast Region Women's Head Coach of the Year (2022, 2023), New England Regional Women's Coach of the Year (1998, 2000) and NESCAC Men's Coach of the Year (2005, 2014). He has also secured three NESCAC Women's Coaching Staff of the Year laurels (2016, 2022, 2023) and four NESCAC Men's Coaching Staff of the Year awards (2014, 2018, 2019, 2024). 
 
Beatty graduated from Middlebury in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in art and architecture and a minor in psychology.