Martin Newton, Son of Late C.M. Newton, Set to Lead NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee for 2026-27 Season with Legacy Pride
Martin Newton has been named chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for the 2026-27 season, a prestigious honor not only for the longtime administrator and former athlete, but also a poignant milestone that echoes the lasting impact of his family name. As the son of the late C.M. Newton, a transformative figure in college basketball and former chair of the same committee in 1992, Martin’s elevation to this role feels like a full-circle moment. It’s a powerful nod to legacy, leadership, and the evolving arc of influence within the sport.
Currently serving as the athletic director at Samford University, Martin Newton has built his own reputation as a strategic thinker, tireless advocate for student-athletes, and a champion of integrity in collegiate athletics. His selection as chair of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for 2026-27 comes after years of service on the committee, where he has played a significant role in guiding policy, evaluating tournament logistics, and ensuring competitive equity in college basketball’s most celebrated event: March Madness.
To fully appreciate the weight of Newton’s appointment, one must understand the indelible mark his father, C.M. Newton, left on the game. C.M. was not only a championship-caliber coach and revered administrator but also a pioneer for racial integration in the SEC, a visionary at the University of Kentucky, and a highly respected NCAA figure. He was elected chair of the men’s basketball committee during a time of significant transformation and helped usher in new standards of fairness and transparency in selection processes. His work laid the foundation for the modern tournament experience, one that balances on-court merit with off-court integrity.
For Martin, taking on the same role more than three decades later isn’t just about personal accomplishment—it’s a living tribute to his father’s trailblazing legacy. “I grew up watching my dad work to make the game better, more inclusive, and more respected,” Newton said. “To now have the chance to serve in the same capacity, to contribute my own voice to that mission, is both humbling and deeply personal.”
Martin Newton’s journey to this pinnacle of influence didn’t follow a straight path. Before stepping into athletic administration, he worked for Nike, where he built relationships with some of the biggest names in basketball and helped shape branding strategies that defined a generation. His time in corporate sports marketing gave him a unique lens into the business side of the game—an understanding of culture, branding, and market dynamics that now informs his leadership in the collegiate world.
He returned to the college athletics scene with a passion to do more than just promote the sport—he wanted to help shape it. As athletic director at Samford since 2011, Newton has overseen broad institutional improvements, guided conference realignment efforts, and pushed for better support systems for athletes, both academically and emotionally. Under his leadership, Samford has not only competed successfully across multiple sports but has also earned recognition for its commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.
His work on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee over the last several years has further cemented his credibility. He has been instrumental in selection discussions, site evaluations, and refining the metrics used to evaluate tournament résumés. Known for his even-handedness and collaborative style, Newton has earned the trust of his peers on the committee, which includes athletic directors and conference commissioners from across the country. His commitment to balancing data-driven decision-making with an understanding of the game’s emotional and narrative elements makes him a unifying force in a room where decisions often spark intense debate.
As chair, Newton will be responsible for leading the committee in selecting and seeding the 68-team field for the NCAA Tournament. He’ll also oversee the management of early-round and regional sites and ensure that host institutions uphold the standards expected of college basketball’s most visible showcase. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to remain objective under pressure—qualities that Newton has demonstrated time and again.
Beyond logistics, the chair serves as the public face of the committee. When the inevitable “snubs” and “surprises” of Selection Sunday emerge, it’s the chair who must face the media and explain the rationale behind the bracket. It’s a role that demands both poise and transparency. If history is any indication, Newton will handle it with a mix of grace, honesty, and accountability—much like his father did when he sat in the same chair during a more analog era of the sport.
While the sport has evolved dramatically since C.M. Newton’s era—from the explosion of one-and-done athletes to the rise of the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights—Martin Newton’s vision remains grounded in the core values that have sustained college basketball through decades of change. He believes in fairness, opportunity, and the power of competition to shape lives. He also understands the modern pressures facing athletes and coaches, and he advocates for systems that support their well-being.
In an era where college basketball’s ecosystem is being redefined, Newton’s voice will be crucial in ensuring that the NCAA Tournament remains a credible, beloved institution. His unique combination of legacy, leadership, and forward-thinking sensibility makes him well-positioned to guide the committee through an important period of transition. As issues like expanded fields, media rights negotiations, and tournament site restructuring continue to dominate boardroom discussions, Newton’s chairmanship will likely be one of both stewardship and innovation.
Those who have worked with Newton describe him as thoughtful, measured, and deeply principled. His ability to build consensus and maintain composure amid disagreement has made him a stabilizing force within the committee. He listens intently, speaks judiciously, and never lets ego interfere with the mission at hand. That demeanor will serve him well as he steps into the national spotlight.
The emotional resonance of this appointment is not lost on those who have watched Newton’s journey. Coaches, administrators, and players who knew his father have expressed admiration for the continuity of values that Martin represents. “It’s rare that you see legacies carried on with such integrity,” said one longtime colleague. “Martin doesn’t just carry his father’s name—he carries his purpose.”
Indeed, the Newton legacy in college basketball isn’t just about shared titles or leadership posts—it’s about enduring ideals. It’s about treating people with respect, building systems that reward excellence, and leaving the game better than you found it. As Martin Newton prepares to chair the most influential committee in college basketball, those ideals are once again front and center.
There will be challenges, of course. The basketball landscape is more fragmented than ever, with conferences shifting, TV deals expanding, and player movement accelerating at unprecedented rates. The pressure to keep the tournament relevant, equitable, and compelling will be high. But if there’s anyone equipped to meet this moment with wisdom, heart, and historical perspective, it’s Martin Newton.
In many ways, Newton’s appointment is a signal to the basketball community that tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive. His deep reverence for the game’s history—instilled in him by a father who helped shape it—is balanced by a modern mindset that embraces change when it serves the greater good. That duality could make all the difference as the committee charts its course into a new era.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the basketball world will be watching not just the court, but the conference rooms and committee tables where decisions that define dreams are made. In those rooms, Martin Newton’s steady hand and seasoned voice will be guiding the way—carrying forward not just a family name, but a tradition of thoughtful, principled leadership that has always been at the heart of college basketball.
