Men's Lacrosse | 1/20/2025 2:25:30 PM
Matt Coleman is set to begin his senior season as a member of the SUNY Geneseo men's lacrosse team. He also serves as Vice President of Geneseo's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). Coleman, a long stick midfielder, has appeaared in 17 total games in his career registering 10 ground balls and three caused turnovers. Last season he was part of a Geneseo team that won the SUNYAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
A native of Oakdale NY, Coleman, in addition to being SAAC Vice President at Geneseo, is a Student-Athlete Mentor, who earned Empire 8 President's List honors in the fall, holds a 3.96 grade-point average as a biology and adolescent education major.
Matt Coleman - Empire 8 Emerging Leader
Institution: SUNY Geneseo
Sport: Men's Lacrosse
SAAC Role: Vice President
Major: Biology, Adolescent Education: Biology & General Science
GPA: 3.96
Community Service Projects:
SAAC-led food drives in fall of 2023 and 2024
SAAC-led Trunk or Treat in fall 2024
Who is a Leader Who Has Made an Impact on You and Why?
A leader that has made an impact on me was one of our previous captains, Trevor Bollinger. The style in which he led was by example, which is a method of leadership I have implemented into my own leadership roles. He was also a fantastic student, which raised the bar for my teammates and I in regards to the team's standard of academic achievement.
What Type of Leader Are You?
Leading by example well defines the type of leader I am. While words can be powerful to motivate and direct, modeling expectations and behaviors both on and off the field is the most effective way to elevate our team's perfornance and culture.
What Makes a Great Leader?
A great leader is one who is truly bought into "raising the floor" for everything involved with the team. It is the role of the leader to generate positivity for the team during difficult times and to consistently hold themselves and the team to a higher standard.
What Is a Leader's Best Asset?
A leader's best asset is encouraging inclusion for the entire team. Whether it's giving a different teammate the breakdown after a practice or asking others to share their thoughts with the whole team, it is the utilization of all voices on the team that a leader needs to succeed.
What Makes Leadership Difficult?
Difficulty in leadership can occur with the wide-variety of perspectives that will naturally exist within a team. It can be challenging for an entire team to be on the same page for everything, which is why it is important to break down larger teams goals into smaller components.
What Does Leadership Look Like in a Team Setting?
In a team setting leadership is all members of the team buying into our team culture and goals during both extreme highs and lows.
Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On:
During the fall of 2024 I had the privilege of student teaching at Honeoye Falls-Lima Middle School and Keshequa High School.
What Do You Aspire to See Yourself Doing in 10-15 Years?
An impactful science educator and coach!
What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Season, Both Athletically and in SAAC?
This season I am looking forward to getting the privilege to compete alongside my teammates in our inagural season with Empire 8. As for SAAC, I am looking forward to continuing our immersion into Empire 8 SAAC.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time at SUNY Geneseo:
Team meals will always be my favorite memory from college sports. Over my four years they have been a great way for the team to bond in a non-lacrosse setting.
Favorite thing about the Empire 8:
This season will be our team's first as a part of the conference, but I am looking forward to competing against other Empire 8 teams as I have not played a majority of them yet in my college career.
How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You for Life After College?
I have not had a full season of competition in the conference. However, from my three previous years of team participation, I have been prepared for like after college by learning how to be more level-headed emotionally when things go in a way that is not favorable.
Advice to Incoming Student-Athletes or Younger Teammates?
Take it all day by day. While long-term goals are great to have and certainly necessary, a big focus should be to give your best effort to the smaller tasks you will have day-to-day. These include things like a single practice or school-related assignments. If you win each day and activity individually, you will "win" whatever long-term goals you have.
E8 Dozen
1. Favorite Professional Athlete: Tucker Kraft
2. Favorite Professional Team: Green Bay Packers
3. Favorite Movie: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
4. Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Missing You
5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Peanut Butter Cup
6. Last Vacation You Went On: Myrtle Beach to visit my family (the best!)
7. Dream Vacation Spot: Yellowstone National Park
8. Favorite Singer/Artist: Zach Bryan
9. If You Could Have Any Super Power, What Would It Be?: Teleportation
10. Fun-Fact About You: I am a twin
11. Favorite Animal: Brook Trout
12. Dream Job: Biology Teacher
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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