Alumni

If you’ve ever stepped into Landon’s weight room at dawn, chances are you’ve seen Marty Klingelhofer '77 – “Coach K” - leading a boot camp, mentoring students, or catching up with alumni. For almost three decades, Marty has been a cornerstone of Landon’s athletic and strength training programs, shaping generations of Bears with his signature blend of grit, humility, and heart.

After graduating from Landon in 1977, Marty attended Lafayette College, where he played rugby and earned his English teaching certification. He spent 15 years at Norwood School as a PE teacher, coaching football and strength and conditioning at Landon in the evenings, before joining Landon full-time in 1998. Since then, he’s coached football, wrestling, rugby, and baseball across all grade levels, while building a strength and conditioning program that has become a hallmark of the Landon experience.

Marty’s influence extends beyond the school day. His early morning boot camps and after-school alumni weight room hours bring together alumni, parents, and friends for workouts that build more than muscle. As in all of his activities, the focus is on keeping the Landon community strong.

His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Marty was named National High School Strength Coach Association (NHSSCA) Maryland Strength Coach of the Year in 2020 and Northeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2022 and was inducted into the NHSSCA Hall of Fame in 2025.

Receiving the W. Landon Banfield ’50 Award for Outstanding Service to Landon is a full-circle moment for Marty. “I’m honored to win this award and to be in the company of Rob Bordley '66, Sandy Murray '63, and Marcos Williams '65,” he says. “It’s strange to be recognized for doing your job, because I’d be doing this anyway.”

Marty lives in Rockville with his wife, Trish, where he enjoys “continuing to learn about strength and conditioning and football, working out, coaching, and spending time with family and friends.” Their daughter Meg, a Landon faculty member and certified strength coach, continues the family legacy of service and excellence.

Whether it’s helping a student become a Division I athlete or ensuring no one is the last boy picked at recess, Marty’s impact is felt in every corner of campus - and in the hearts of countless alumni who return to lift, learn, and reconnect.

Thank you, Coach K, for your unwavering commitment to Landon. You truly embody the spirit of the Banfield Award!

---

On Friday, December 12, the Landon community will gather at the Alumni Holiday Luncheon to honor Marty with the W. Landon Banfield ’50 Award for Outstanding Service to Landon. Sharing in this moment of recognition, A. Brook Seawell ’65 will also be celebrated as the recipient of the Anthony E. Kupka ’64 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Zaakir Khan ’23, a hockey fanatic from a young age, has made significant inroads on the ice. A standout defenseman for Alex Parker’s Landon squad during his time on campus, Zaakir has gone on to play for George Mason University and represent his heritage. He is currently a forward on Team Pakistan, competing against other countries on the world stage. He not only plays for the team but also helps Donny Khan, NHL Senior Director of Hockey Development and Strategic Collaboration, recruit players, coach, and develop the U16 team in an effort to increase interest among his countrymen.

He was recruited on social media, a tactic he has employed himself in tracking down recruits for both the men’s and U16 Pakistan rosters. He serves as the de facto general manager for the U16 team. He communicates with the players and their families on a weekly basis and builds enthusiasm and a sense of collectiveness for the team. Despite the distance between teammates, Zaakir finds the common bond of heritage to be a uniting force among the team.

Andy Goldstein, Class of 2004, is a well-known figure in our community. Many recognize him from his popular pizza stand at the Azalea Festival’s Riddle’s Griddle, or from his frequent visits to campus as a dedicated member of the Landon Alumni Board. What you might not know is that Andrew is also the General Manager and part owner of Potomac Pizza, where he has successfully expanded the business and enhanced its community presence. Recently, he has taken on an exciting new role as the President of the Landon Alumni Association. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Andy to discuss his Landon experience, his professional journey, and his vision for the Alumni Association.