Darin Martyna

One of the University of Sioux Fall’s best-ever defensive linemen, Darin Martyna earned 2001 NAIA second team and 2002 first team NAIA All-American honors.

Martyna ranks first on the school’s all-time list with 36 sacks. As a freshman, he led the team with five sacks and had 30 tackles in 1999 as the Cougars finished 6-3. As a sophomore (2000), he recorded 66 tackles, with 15 tackles for loss on a team that finished 6-4. Martyna registered one of the best individual seasons in school history as a junior. He recorded 100 tackles with 24 tackles for a total loss of 97 yards and nine sacks for losses of 55 yards while recovering five fumbles with two interceptions for 68 yards in returns. His efforts helped USF to a 12-2 record, Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) title and runner-up in the national championship game (49-27 loss to Georgetown, Kentucky). He led a defense that allowed just 204 points in 14 games (14.57 ppg). During that year, the Martyna-led defense had two shutouts and held four opponents to six or fewer points.

A two-time team captain and USF Defensive Player of the Year in 2001-02, Martyna had a big year as a senior with a team-leading 67 tackles, 25 tackling for loss, 15 sacks, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. With his stellar play, USF finished 12-1 and won a second straight GPAC title while advancing to the NAIA playoff semifinals (20-17 loss to Carroll College).

A three-time All-GPAC first-team selection, he was named the Don Hansen NAIA DII Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. He owns the school record for career tackles for loss with 59. He also set the record for tackles for loss yardage with 260.

A Sioux Falls Lincoln High School standout, Martyna earned a degree in Elementary Education in 2004 from USF and served on the USF coaching staff for a season. Martyna played professionally for two seasons in the Austrian Football League. In 2005 he was a fullback, tight end and defensive lineman for the Danube Dragons. In 2006 he was a defensive lineman and tight end for the Vienna Vikings. He helped the Vienna squad win the European Championship. Martyna is a certified South Dakota football official and officiates grades third through high school. Martyna and his wife Brandi have two daughters Nyah and Tayla and live in Sioux Falls.