Written by Clay Steadman following Marty’s Party & Golf Event.
I was lucky enough to be a part of a tribute to Marty Lane: a businessman, father, husband, philanthropist, grandfather, and what seems like the most incredible friend. The event was called Marty’s Party. It was very highly attended. 500 people were there to honor a great man’s life. From the people I talked with, there were NFL Hall Of Famers, Olympic Champions, Multiple former Governors, business leaders, actors, singers, and everything in between.
I asked people about Marty that knew him well, which is an enormous amount of people. I don’t understand how somebody could have this many friends. People closest to him taught me some of the lessons we could garnish from his wonderful life. I’m working to distill it down for myself to gather some lessons. If you knew Marty, please feel free to elaborate on anything that I missed.
Marty was a man who loved to see people succeed. His foundation and friends hosted this event to support the Nittany Wrestling Club, Penn State’s Wrestling Olympic Training Center, and the Nativity School of Harrisburg. I had an opportunity to go to the Nativity school and what’s going on there is magical. Teachers that are so passionate to make inner city Harrisburg kids have a quality start in life. They serve three meals a day and passionate and high-quality teachers lead these young men in a way not often seen today. This isn’t just about school lessons; they teach boys how to shake hands, give them real responsibilities and they look for ways to lift them up. They host events to help engage the community around them. They often have a drill sergeant come in and teach them some additional discipline. They chant: What is our motto? Unity and discipline. Who are we? I am my brother’s keeper. What type of men are we? Men of standard.
These sayings printed on the wall in their cafeteria, where they do their drill lines. Marty cared deeply about the success of this school and each teacher and student in it. It is clear his legacy lives on in the love and commitment radiating from the entire staff.
Marty also loved what he did. He was in the insurance business. He bought the business when it was humble and small and grew it to 48 States. Sounds like he did not do this by himself. He lifted others around him, pushed them to work hard and commit, and believe in themselves and brought them to success simultaneously. I met a woman that was president of two of his companies and had been a president for 26 years. She said that when she met Marty she was out of work, and he took her in and asked her to work hard on every job in the company. Within a couple years she was in leadership and continued to grow. Marty thrived off seeing people’s hard work pay off.
Generosity was another pillar of this man’s character. One of the big sponsors of The Marty Party was a man that did not know Marty well. He heard about the party and asked to be a big sponsor. He told a story about when he was young in his career, he was working to start his own business he hit a few snags that were in the way for him to begin his venture. Marty secretly helped him, and he didn’t find out until 30 years later after he grew his successful architecture firm. Marty didn’t let anyone know that he helped him. He did it because he loved to see people succeed that were working hard. He wasn’t looking for appreciation or anything just deep down wanted to humbly help.
Marty Lane loved a commitment to excellence. He was not a wrestler himself nor follow the sport until he was in his 60s. But what Cael Sanderson and the Penn State wrestling team stood for he got behind and loved. The Marty Party is by far the largest fundraiser that the Nittany Wrestling Club will have this year. The NLWC had five of six weight classes in Men’s Freestyle represented at the Olympic Games in Paris. It is fully run off generous contributions from donors like Marty and Sheri Lane and their friends. Honestly, it does not exist at all without people like this that help support our program. They don’t ask for anything in return. Most of the people at The Marty Party didn’t know much about Wrestling at Penn State at all. They were there to support their friend, Marty.
One of the largest themes in reminiscing about Marty was that he loved to have fun. As someone who loves to have fun, I really liked this one. He always made sure everyone else was having fun. He was known to sit at the kids table playing games. Also he was known to stay out until the late hours in the night, always holding on for just one more with his buddies. There were countless stories told about his big personality and how enjoyable it was to be around him.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Marty Lane. I am certain that the spirit in the atmosphere at his event honored him made me feel like I do know him. His group of friends talk about themselves as a family. They work hard on their own businesses and they always make sure they have time for fun. They’re unbelievably generous. Generous with their finances and their time and their attention in a busy schedule. The Nittany Lion Wrestling Club is honored to be part of such a unique group appreciate all of the hard work that his friends and family put in to honor him and help the NLWC and the Nativity School of Harrisburg.
As a new member of the Penn State Wrestling Staff. I feel very fortunate that our wrestling program is supported by a man’s legacy that whose values align with ours: Marty was humble, committed to excellence, grateful, generously poured himself out to help others succeed, did what he loved, surrounded himself with people who loved him and each other, and all of this while having a heck of a good time.
Thank you Marty, Sheri and your entire group of family and friends. Cheers to Marty!