RBR to Retire Martin's Jersey Monday

The Red Bank Regional High School community will honor the memory of late student Albert Martin at its season-opening basketball game Monday.

Martin, who was a senior forward, will have his #34 jersey retired and presented to his mother, Tracy Dixon, at 6:30 p.m. Monday when RBR kicks off the season against Red Bank Catholic at the RBR gym, 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver.

“He was the epitome of what it is to be a Buccaneer. Just about everything we would want in a student. He was a great classmate, student and friend," said RBR Superintendent Dr. James Stefankiewicz.

The Red Bank resident died at Riverview Medical Center Dec. 3 after collapsing during a basketball scrimmage against Point Pleasant Beach High School. 

There's been an outpouring support at the school community for a student who senior Kadyjah Smith described as "such an amazing kid and so easy to love." 

Contributions have been coming in to the Albert Martin Memorial Fund to defray funeral expenses and honor his memory at the school. Donations are being accepted through the Source foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on youth services. Contributions can be sent to: Source at RBR, 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver NJ 07739.

Checks should be written out to the Source foundation and identify the "Albert Martin Memorial Fund" on the check. Donations also are being accepted via Paypal on the Red Bank Regional website.

Students also have honored Martin by selling T-shirts to benefit the Memorial Fund. They've also created two large banners with messages from classmates, with one going on display at his locker and the other being presented to the Martin family.