Charlie Jahr Named UT Martin 'Hoops for Heroes' Ambassador

Martin native to be honored during OVC Basketball Championship

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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The UT Martin 'Hoops for Heroes' ambassador for the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championship has been selected. Martin native Charlie Jahr will be honored Saturday during an on-court ceremony prior to the men's final session at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.

Why it matters

The 'Hoops for Heroes' initiative honors veterans and first responders from OVC communities, highlighting their service and contributions. Jahr's selection as ambassador recognizes his own career in public service, first as a police officer and now in campus safety.

The details

Jahr becomes the 14th Skyhawk representative for the OVC 'Hoops for Heroes' program, which began by honoring military veterans and has since expanded to also salute first responders. He previously worked 17 years as a police officer with the UT Martin Department of Public Safety and is currently in his third year as the university's Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator.

  • The OVC Basketball Championship will take place this Saturday, March 8, 2026.
  • Jahr will be honored during an on-court ceremony prior to the men's final session.

The players

Charlie Jahr

A Martin native who will serve as the UT Martin 'Hoops for Heroes' ambassador for the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference Basketball Championship.

UT Martin

The university that Jahr previously worked for as a police officer and now serves as the Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator.

Ohio Valley Conference

The collegiate athletic conference hosting the 'Hoops for Heroes' initiative to honor veterans and first responders.

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What’s next

Jahr will be honored during an on-court ceremony prior to the men's final session of the OVC Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The 'Hoops for Heroes' program provides a meaningful way for the Ohio Valley Conference to recognize the service and contributions of veterans and first responders from its member communities, with Charlie Jahr's selection as UT Martin's ambassador highlighting his own career in public safety.