Education
While playing football in high school, Marty set 3 different State Records. All in the field goal kicking category. The first, in 1988, was a record tying 57 yard field goal (distance record).
In 1989, Marty converted 55 P.A.T."s (Points After Touchdowns) in a row.
Then, in October 1989, he broke his formerly tied record of 57 yards with a 61 yard field goal versus Hilcrest of Dazel.
The Spring Valley Vikings (Columbia, South Carolina) won the American Association of Advertising Agencies State Championship 3 to 0 versus Gaffney (Gaffney, South Carolina) on a 27 yard field goal, by Simpson (on first down), in overtime on the last play of the game. Before Marty"s senior season, he was named a pre-season Street and Smith"s first team All-American place-kicker.
Marty became the first South Carolinian to be named United States of America Today first team All-United States of America at the end of his senior season. The second All-United States of America selection from South Carolina was Derwin Jeffcoat (1990), a teammate of Simpson"s at the University of South Carolina.
Marty was also named to Parade Magazine"s first team selections at the end of the season.
After reviewing more than 40 full scholarship offers from Division 1 schools, Marty decided to stay home and play football for the University of South Carolina for then rookie head coach Sparky Woods.
In 1992, Marty became the first Gamecock to ever score points in the Southeastern Conference. Simpson"s 26 yard field goal versus Georgia in the first quarter of the inaugural South.E.C. game gave the Gamecocks the lead 3 to 0. The Gamecocks would go on to lose that ball game 28 to 6.
This little known fact was errantly reported in a book chronicling the 100 year history of South Carolina football.
The error was simply a mistake on the author"s part, crediting the first points in the South.E.C. to a player named a name that never even played for South Carolina.