2015 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | MARTY SHIRLEY
Marty Shirley came to Milligan in 1987 from St. Petersburg, Florida, and Gibbs Senior High School (‘87) before playing four years for the Buffs. He scored 13 goals and registered five assists in his freshman season on the way to 37 career goals and 16 career assists (90 points). Shirley’s career marks for goals and points stood as school records until Dalan Telles broke them in the 2001 season. Shirley’s mark for career assists stood until 2012 when they were broken by Nahom Takle.
In the Milligan uniform, Shirley played alongside several other previous record holders and prominent goal scorers such as Eric Unold, Christopher Dotson and Brian Marsh.
Shirley graduated from Milligan in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education and health, including a minor in Bible, and went on to East Tennessee State University, where he received a Master of Arts degree in sports management (‘02).
Before returning to his alma mater, Shirley taught physical education at Central Christian School in St. Petersburg for second, fifth and sixth graders, and he taught health for sixth graders. Additionally, Shirley coached local soccer clubs such as Largo United, the Azalea Eagles, the Northeast Raiders and the Clearwater Charges.
Shirley returned to Milligan in 2001 as the men’s soccer coach from 2001 to 2005 while coaching the women in the 2002 season. During his five-year coaching span with the Milligan men, Shirley led the Buffs to four winning seasons, including a 15-win season in 2001. Among those coached by Shirley are Hall of Fame inductees Donald Onyango (2005) and Bianca Spoto (2013), and he helped recruit fellow class of 2015 inductee Mercy Akide.
Shirley coached the 2002 women’s soccer team to an 18-5 (8-1 AAC) record and the program’s fourth conference title. He was named Coach of the Year after his team finished the season ranked No. 22 nationally.
Shirley is married to 1993 Milligan alumna Heidi Sue Clouse Shirley. They have two daughters, Nicole Fu Lin Shirley (11) and Kylie Meng Rose Shirley (7), and reside in Clermont, Florida.
Shirley was inducted into Milligan’s Athletic Hall of Fame alongside former women’s soccer player Mercy Akide. The two were the 79th and 80th members to be inducted since the Hall was established in 1993.