Blue Star Operations

Martin Clapp

Martin Clapp comes to Blue Star in the Spring of 2013 after being involved in the women’s game for 30 years, most recently having spent eight seasons at Purdue University. Clapp's resume includes 14 years at the University of Louisville. He was head coach for six years from 1997 to 2003, co-head coach the first three seasons before taking over the reigns alone in 2000. His overall record was 108-73 and includes a conference regular-season championship in 2001 that garnered Conference USA Coach of the Year honors. During his tenure at Louisville the Cardinals earned six NCAA tournament berths, including three second-round appearances (1993, 1995, 1998).

Clapp has had significant recruiting success. As assistant coach for Bud Childers, Clapp signed Jill Morton, a Greensburg, Ind., native. Morton became Louisville's first All-American and led the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.535) her senior year. She was selected 34th in the 2000 WNBA draft by the Charlotte Sting.

As a head coach Clapp signed Sara Nord, 2000 Indiana Miss Basketball, who shattered Louisville records for career assists (852), season assists (235), season average (7.8) and career average (7.2). Clapp also landed Lori Nero, a transfer from Auburn, who was the 19th pick in the 2003 WNBA draft by the Houston Comets.

Clapp has head coaching experience on the professional level, having spent two seasons (2003 to 2005) as the coach of the Birmingham Power in the National Women's Basketball League. The NWBL was a six-league team that featured dozens of WNBA players.

Arkansas College is where Clapp began his career coaching women's basketball. He was an assistant coach for three seasons. From there he traveled to Arkansas-Little Rock and served as an assistant coach for two years. Next was a one year stint at Murray State where he first became a member of Childers' staff. At Murray State, Clapp was responsible for coordinating scouting, player conditioning and coaching the guards.

Clapp is a native of Benton, Ky., and graduated from Murray State in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He and his family reside in Kentucky.