Marty played prep basketball at Loras Academy and in 1939 led the team to the Iowa Catholic School championship.

His college experience was interrupted as he served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

[3] Following the close of his college career, Marty was drafted by the Chicago Stags in the 1948 BAA draft but turned down an offer to play for the team to move into coaching and focus on his young family.

[4] He coached high school basketball at St. Joseph's Academy in Mason City, Iowa, and later in Wisconsin.

He then refereed high school basketball games for a time before turning to managing recreational bowling centers.