When the crowd filed out of the stands at graduation, Marty Horn ’86 had a moment to reflect. He’d just earned his journalism degree and left a legacy at Lehigh as one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history, but he wasn’t sure what came next.
So he decided to try a little bit of everything.
After graduation, he spent two years in NFL training camps before joining his family's restaurant business. Later, he developed real estate with partners in Wyoming, started an internet-based business in the late ’90s, and eventually opened Bottle Hill Tavern in Madison, New Jersey, eight years ago.
“I love working in restaurants,” Horn says. “People walk through your doors every day carrying all sorts of stress or challenges, and they get a chance to unwind. We get to take care of them, and that’s a gift.”
Bottle Hill Tavern is the culmination of more than 40 years of experience. As managing partner, Horn oversees operations, develops the menu, manages purchasing, and keeps everything running smoothly. Alongside three longtime friends and local residents, he helped revive the historic landmark after it had closed years earlier. The tavern had existed in some form since 1812, making it a cornerstone of the community.
For the past 20 years, Marty has hosted Sendoffs at his restaurants, and he continues to do so at Bottle Hill Tavern, welcoming incoming students and connecting them with peers and alumni before they begin their college journey.
“I really enjoy talking to young people about hospitality,” he says. “Of course, I first ask them, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ But if they are, I’m excited to mentor them. The work is rewarding, but it’s also a business, and I’m there to provide perspective on both sides.”
Horn has also mentored student-athletes, remained deeply connected to the football program, and spent more than two decades broadcasting Lehigh football games as an analyst and commentator. He also coached football at Madison High School for more than 20 years.
“Coaching is one of the great joys of my life,” he says. “Helping young men grow and develop is incredibly rewarding. The first players I coached are now raising families of their own, and some even bring their children to the restaurant.”
Today, Horn and his wife, Diane M. Horn ’86, enjoy spending time with their children and grandson. They find joy in life’s simple, quiet moments.
Looking back on his life and career, Horn offers one final reflection: “No one sets out to create a legacy. You just try to be the best you can be every day. I think that’s worked pretty well for me.”
