I have vivid memories of being on his hiring committee, and employing Matt to teach for our Sports Writing Lab with William King. His recording talents changed what we knew was possible for our writers. In fact, we have several years of sports radio now because he guided the kids with his expertise. He was always willing to do workshops with teachers, too, and often presented at Writing Our Lives events.
Matt and I bonded over aging and running, too, and the inspiration he gave many of us not only with his memoir Running with Ghosts, but his daily posts about sweating a few more miles. He was focused, passionate, and competitive with setting personal bests. His motivation was motivation to the rest of us, and we'll miss him this year at Run for Refugees and the Vicki Soto 5K.
Matt was a cancer survivor, a phenomenal father (dedicated always to his kids), and devoted husband...every year I'd hear more about how, one of these days, I needed to meet his wife. I'm so sorry for all in his family and am a little bit in shock that he passed yesterday after complications from surgery. We were just texting one another. You got this. He had this, and he even posted his Wordle achievement post surgery. He wrote all went well.
This is why a note from Kris Sealey while hiking in Lake Placid hit me in the heart. Matt passed?
It's a lot to think about...his enthusiasm, his joy for life, his devotion and his dedication. The every day zest that surrounded him, however, will be missed the most.
Too young...Matt...way too young. Much more parenting still to do....more writing and much more joy from teaching. This is a tremendous loss to Fairfield University and the communities that adored him.
He has always been an inspiration.