A Sporting Life

Tom Martin '61, P'86, '03, played 58 minutes of the 1961 Beanpot championship game. The two minutes he missed were spent in the penalty box, having been whistled for aggressive defense. Nearly completing an entire game is the stuff of legend, as is scoring the winning goal. "In my mind, I can still clearly see the open area of the net and the puck going in," he recalls.

Graduating with an accounting degree, the two-time all-American played for the 1964 U.S. Olympic hockey team and forged a successful career in financial management before executing a crossover as successful as any he had made on ice.

In 1982, Martin founded Cramer Productions when he purchased the video division of the electronics company for which he worked as a controller. Over the ensuing 28 years, Martin has grown the company into a full-service digital marketing firm with clients such as Staples and PricewaterhouseCoopers. As CEO and chairman, he oversees all operations. He also helped create several best-selling sports films, including the five-part documentary The Story of Golf, the critically-acclaimed Boston Red Sox: 100 Years of Baseball History, and Banner Years: The Official History of the Boston Garden, which won a New England Emmy Award.

Below, Martin shares his thoughts on life and BC:

What is the most satisfying moment in your professional life?

Overall, having seven children who are important contributors at Cramer.

In your personal life?

Being blessed with a wonderful wife for 49 years.

What is your best BC memory?

The relationships I had with hockey coach Snooks Kelley '28 and baseball coach Eddie Pellagrini.

What is your next goal?

To continue to work, stay healthy, and enjoy my grandchildren.

What is one thing everyone should do while at BC?

Mix with people outside their own circle.

How have you changed since graduation?

I have a greater respect for other points of view. When you're young, things are pretty black and white. Later on, you realize things are about 80 percent gray. I guess you could call that maturity. 

Why did you decide to attend BC?

Snooks Kelley. I went to Cambridge Latin, and he was a teacher there. I had decided to go to Harvard and told my coach, who said I had to tell Mr. Kelley about my decision. Snooks brought me into the teachers' lounge and sat me down. After he talked with me, I figured I'd better tell Harvard I was going to BC. 

What is the secret to success?

A good work ethic and integrity.

Where is your favorite spot on the Heights?

A little library that used to be in the basement of Fulton Hall, where I would study before hockey and baseball practice.

What would you do if you were BC president for a day?

Set up a day when the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association members could meet together to share thoughts and ideas.

What was your first job?

I majored in accounting because I thought it would be a good foundation for law. I started at BU Law but dropped out after a semester for a chance to play for the national team at the 1962 World Ice Hockey Championship. After I finished with the team, I received an offer to work at Arthur Andersen and began there in April 1962.

As a commuter to campus, how long did a one-way trip take?

It was about a half hour from Cambridge. I had an educated thumb and later got enough money to buy an old, broken-down Ford.

How do you relax?

I'm an active guy so I don't spend a lot of time watching things. I play a lot of golf, and I find that the time I spend jogging and walking is very reflective. 

What was your favorite BC class?

I really enjoyed a class in marketing. Got an A-. 

What do you look forward to each day?

I appreciate coming to work and interacting with my colleagues, and I continue to exercise very actively. 

What was your favorite BC activity?

Sports were pretty all consuming for me. I just enjoyed so much the camaraderie and spirit among my teammates. I still see Jim Logue '61, our goalie, and his wife almost every week. 

What is something your friends don't know about you?

I think a lot of people think I'm outgoing, but I'm essentially a shy person. 

How much can you sing of the BC fight song?

As a pledge to the business fraternity, I had to learn both verses. I could certainly do it then, but I’m a little rusty now.

Who would play you in the film version of your life?

Robert Redford, of course! 

Between classes, where did you most often hang out? 

It was that little library in Fulton. Lots of times, it was just me . . . and sometimes the custodian.