Matt: Coach, Athlete, Official

Mission

Matt is dedicated to helping coaches, athletes, parents, and teams develop systems to repeatedly perform at high levels in times of great stress, urgency, and pressure.​

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Process

Listening first, I collaboratively identify clients' motivations, values, and goals. Develop long & short-term goals that feed into plans and processes. With this structure, I use my servant leader superpowers to help clients develop strategies and tasks that lead to constructive feedback against identified standards. Regular evaluation and reflective practices help clients track progress and adjust their system. Adding pressure and repetition prepares clients to perform at their best at the most important times. 

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CliftonStrenths, Matt's top 5

Social intelligence, positivity, individuality, philomath (learning), and achievement.

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Coaching

Like most coaches, I initially coached the way I was coached and repeated the sins of the past. That changed when I attended a USA Lacrosse coach development clinic. Light was turned on, and I was forever changed as a coach, father, and person.  I was invited to become a USAL Coach Development Trainer for the PNW and bring those principles to clients. Over 20 years of coaching experience in high school lacrosse & golf, youth lacrosse, soccer, and basketball.     

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The Pivot

After 20 years as a sales director, Sports & Performance Psychology became my passion to help coaches develop their skills to meet today's kids where they are and use sports as a testing ground. I believe that as a community, we can reduce mental health issues by improving adolescents' mental strength skills and competencies to overcome obstacles.

Philosophy

General systems theory provides clients with a lens and system to work through complex, interrelated system parts and how they function as a whole. Individuals and teams operate in environments composed of sub-systems, including physical, mental, and emotional dynamics. Using the whole-part model, clients recognize how the interdependent parts create the whole and each part's contribution to the system.

College Athlete

Western Washington University lacrosse team in 1993 and 1994 PNCLL Champions. I learned everyone has a role, and most roles are not as the superstar. Post college, Seattle Lacrosse Club, winning the 1997 PNLA Championship.

Sports Offcial

Hearing the call to grow lacrosse, Matt became an official in 2003, joined the college ranks in 2007, and in 2022 became a USLA officials' trainer and observer. Highlights include working four HS State Championship games, college playoffs, and multiple men’s club PNLA Championships. In 2022, Matt joined PNBOA basketball officials. Matt serves on boards of the WALOA & PNBOA. 

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Outside of work

Matt's two kids are in college and remain his #1 priority. As a member of the Seattle Seafair Clowns for over 10 years, Matt values giving back to his community. As a cyclist, Matt did the SPT (Seattle to Portland) and, in 2023, the STP/PTS, riding 420 miles in 38 hours. In 2023, Mat joined the WSHS as the mental strength assistant coach.