March Madness took on a whole new meaning for 2014 Saint Viator High School
Matt O’Neill with the NCAA men’s basketball championship trophy in the Villanova locker room
graduate, Matt O’Neill. Now in his second year working as a student manager for the Villanova Wildcats, under head coach Jay Wright, he found himself celebrating as part of the national championship team.
“Congrats to one of the hardest working and best teammates I ever coached,” tweeted former Saint Viator basketball coach, Mike Howland, of his former player.
Matt works with nearly one dozen other student managers, doing everything from support roles during games and practices, to managing uniforms and equipment, organizing statistics and recording game film.
Coach Jay Wright, back row center, with the 2015-2016 student managers
“I played basketball and baseball in high school, but unfortunately my skill set didn’t translate to the Division I basketball level,” Matt said last week in a Q & A with an online Villanova news site. “I still wanted to be involved with basketball in some capacity, so I figured being a manager would be a good way to stay involved.
“I still am exposed to the sport,” he added, “but I am also learning valuable skills that I can apply to a future career in sports.”