Mary Martin Hampton Glad Centre College is Giving her a Second Chance

Former Lexington Catholic star Mary Martin Hampton started her collegiate career at Florida, transferred to Ole Miss and is now happy to be at Centre College.

Mary Martin Hampton admits she had a “weird” college recruiting process despite being a standout player at Lexington Catholic High School.

She had 51 goals in 46 games her final two seasons and Catholic was state runner-up in 2020, state quarterfinalist in 2021 and state semifinalist in 2022.

“I actually got burnt out on soccer my senior year and did not play club soccer and was not sure I even wanted to play in college but then I missed it and wanted to play. I grew up wanting to go to a big SEC school. That was my dream,” Hampton said.

Her club coach had connections at Florida. Coaches liked her versatility — she was state runner-up in the 100-meter dash, played point guard in basketball and even played softball one year — and she signed with the Gators. She had no real complaints about the coaches or soccer program but felt the school was too big and too far from home. She transferred to Mississippi for the second semester but still “did not feel right or motivated” when she realized she needed to be at an even smaller school.

Hampton attended the Centre College Soccer Camp twice in elementary school but never had an interest in attending Centre even though her first recruiting email came from Centre coach Jay Hoffman her sophomore year.

“I really didn’t stay in touch with Jay. My mindset was big school or nothing. I was going for the T-shirt school and never gave him (Hoffman) the time of day and that is my biggest regret. I am glad he gave me another chance,” Hampton said.

She’s now at Centre and preparing for her first season with the Colonels that will start Friday when Centre hosts Hope.

“I know a few girls on the team and a few coming in but what won me over was Jay and (assistant coach) Trip (Rogers). I could tell they really cared about players as people. They still keep in touch with all the girls who have graduated,” Hampton said. “On my visit the girls on the team were so welcoming. It just felt so right and welcoming.”

Hampton’s speed has always made her an offensive threat but is not sure what her role might be at Centre.

“It is a lot easier to score goals in high school than college. We’ll see what Jay sees as the best fit for me,” she said. “He can put me at center back (on defense) if he wants. I would definitely miss scoring and I feel that is my best strength of what I give the team. I like scoring but I like winning more.”

Hampton was an 11th Region all-tournament team selection as a senior when the Knights were regional runner-up.

“I grew up playing basketball and a lot of my friends played. I think playing really helped keep me from burning out playing soccer. I love basketball and kind of miss it,” she said.

Playing basketball at Centre along with soccer crossed her mind but if she tries a second spot it would more likely be track.

“I would definitely consider track but I doubt I go through with it even though I might,” she said.

She’s majoring in business with an emphasis on marketing as much as possible even though Centre does not offer a marketing major.

“I always knew Centre was a great school academically,” she said. “Jay has a spreadsheet of every player he has ever coached and what they are doing now and these girls are killing it. The connections with the Centre mafia can really set me up with internships and more.

“I know the academics will be an adjustment at Centre. Florida was a hard school and Ole Miss was, too, but Centre is way tougher. You cannot skip classes. You have more work to do to make good grades but I know I am going to love being at Centre. It just took me a little time to figure that out.”