Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Spring 2013 | Page 12

WHEATON sports From the Big Ten By Brett Marhanka, Sports Information Director Wheaton’s new head baseball coach combines Division I experience with faith-first priorities. was named the head coach of Wheaton’s baseball program in August 2012, it was the first head coaching post of his 17-year career. He’s used all of those years, however, to prepare for such a post. Matt says, “As an assistant coach, I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in all the aspects of running a college baseball program, from mentoring and disciplining student-athletes to handling budgets, organizing practices, and managing games.” Matt went to Texas Christian University (TCU) and then transferred to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, When Matt Husted 10     S P R I N G   2 0 1 3 where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications. He recalls, “I was a walk-on at both TCU and Miami. I was a catcher, never a star, but playing college baseball was a passion of mine. I really wanted it and would not give up.” After graduation, Matt considered sales jobs and other options but felt led to go into coaching. He took his first coaching job as an assistant at Grace College in Indiana. Earning just $500 a year, he worked as if it were a full-time job. Three years later, he decided to try Division I ball and took a volunteer coaching position at Ball State University, where he worked for four years. He took two more coaching positions before rejoining former Ball State head coach Rich Maloney in 2008 to serve on Maloney’s staff at University of Michigan. “Being a grinder as a baseball player helped me through the process of my various coaching jobs,” says Matt. “The process was good for me. I don’t feel a sense of entitlement, and I think that is something that I try to pass on to our players.” Matt worked under coach Rich Maloney for nine years and calls him “a great mentor.” He feels blessed to have worked under a Christian boss on coaching staffs made up entirely of Christians. Though he interviewed for Division I coaching jobs, he says, “God just showed a different path.” He’s excited at the opportunities Wheaton presents not just to talk about