Lehigh University Athletics
Where are they now? - Marty Horn '86
10/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football, Athletics
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Marty Horn was one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of Lehigh University. The 1986 graduate set school records for completions, passing yardage and touchdown passes which would stand for 15 years. After graduating, Horn continued to do unbelievable things. He tried out for NFL teams and played in a game for the Philadelphia Eagles during the strike. Horn started his own internet company in the late ‘90s, opened a real estate company in Wyoming, and co-owns two restaurants with his brothers in West Orange, New Jersey.
Horn says that among his many experiences, his brief NFL experience was something really special. He played in only one game, against the Dallas Cowboys, completing five passes for 68 yards.
“It was an amazing experience to get to play in Texas Stadium,” Horn said. “The next week we played at Lambeau Field and I did not get into that game, but it was unbelievable to be in the locker room and out on the field in Green Bay.”
Horn tried out for the New York Jets before getting his chance to play during the strike. After being cut and deciding his career in football was over, Horn decided to take over the family restaurants with his brothers.
“It is a family business started by my grandfather,” Horn said. “Pals Cabin was started by my grandfather in 1932, and Mayfair Farms was founded by him in 1943. They were run by my father and uncle for a generation each, so my brothers and I are the third generation to run them.”
Horn currently resides in Madison, New Jersey, with his wife Diane, a fellow ’86 Lehigh graduate, and their children, Martin, Charlotte and Shane. Horn, a brother of Alpha Tau Omega while at Lehigh, says he met his wife in a class they had together at the university.
“I started dating Diane during my sophomore year at Lehigh,” Horn said. “We have now been married 16 years. We had a couple classes together and I knew her socially since she was a sorority sister at Gamma Phi Beta.”
In addition to meeting his wife, Horn says he has many fond memories of his time in Bethlehem.
“My most memorable Lehigh athletics moment was beating Lafayette in my final game in the fall of 1985,” Horn said. “Going out a winner, beating them 24-19, was a great memory.”
While Lehigh athletics has provided him with many incredible life experiences, Horn believes it was Lehigh’s academic program that prepared him for life after college.
“Lehigh is such a great school and has a great student body,” Horn said. “A lot of graduates are now leaders in the business world and just being part of the Lehigh family has served me well in the last 25 years.”
In addition to his various business ventures and his family-run restaurants, Horn has begun to coach at Madison High School in his home town. He does not believe in missing out on any potential opportunities and advises current student-athletes to do the same.
“I would advise students to take advantage of every opportunity they have during the four years at Lehigh,” Horn said. “A lot of athletes seem to take for granted the opportunities they have while they are there. It is a great school with a great athletics program, excellent academics, and a first-class Athletic Director in Joe Sterrett. They have great coaches and it provides so many opportunities when you get out. I do not think you should let any day go by when you do not do something to improve yourself.”
Story written by Kylan McQuaig ‘08
