Dr. Martin L. Zwiren has been the Director of Athletics at Lehman College for over 20 years. During his tenure, he has helped elevate Lehman to one of the top Division III athletic programs in the country.
Upon his arrival in 1994, one of Dr. Zwiren’s main responsibilities was to open The APEX, the college’s $57-million facility for sports and recreation. Since then, he has continued to improve Lehman’s athletic facilities to include the addition of a fully digital HD Daktronics scoreboard and outdoor lights for the baseball, softball and soccer fields; the resurfacing of the school tennis courts with DecoTurf, the same surface used at the U.S. Open Tennis Center; a new hardwood floor for basketball and volleyball, and upgrades to the varsity team locker rooms.
The tradition of excellence established at Lehman has led to a number of “firsts” for the program, including two national champions during the winter of 2015, as Adriana Wright and Allie Bernasconi of the women's indoor track & field team won national titles in the 60 meter hurdles and 400 meter dash, respectively. In 2011, the men’s soccer team’s capturing of the CUNYAC Championship, and in 2010, the women’s volleyball team’s invitation to play in the ECAC Division III Metro/Upstate Volleyball Championship. In 2007, the women’s basketball team captured its first CUNYAC championship. Since 1994, Lehman’s programs have combined to win 28 CUNYAC titles, four HVAC titles, three ECAC championships, one NECVA crown, and have made four NCAA Tournament appearances.
In addition to the accolades achieved by Lehman’s athletic programs under Dr. Zwiren’s leadership, strong initiatives have been instituted in establishing academic scholarships for the Lehman student community. Dr. Zwiren was instrumental in establishing the Charlie Greenberg and Edwin Kramer Memorial Scholarship Funds. Charlie Greenberg was a long time supporter of the Lehman athletic department and Edwin Kramer was a former professor of physical education and basketball coach at Lehman.
Dr. Zwiren has served as President of the CUNY Athletic Conference and has been a member of the advisory board of the NYC2012 Olympic Committee and the board of directors of the Pro-Am Hispanic Basketball Association. He founded the Lehman Lightning Alumni Booster Club and the Lehman College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Prior to Lehman, Dr. Zwiren worked for more than 15 years at Fordham University, where he was the first director of the Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Center. Before Fordham, Dr. Zwiren worked in athletic programs at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut after beginning his career as a physical education teacher and school administrator.
Dr. Zwiren’s diligent efforts have helped the Lehman College athletic department grow into what it has become today. He believes that it is important for all individuals to push themselves beyond what they believe they could achieve. Through participating in sports, student-athletes can learn the importance of teamwork, leadership and sacrifice.
He holds three degrees in education: a Doctorate from Fordham, a Master of Science from Temple University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton.