MATTHEW L. WILSON
Class of 1989

Basketball - Lacrosse

Matt Wilson established himself as an excellent basketball and lacrosse athlete at New York’s Half Hollow Hills High School, and followed his older brother, Joseph, to Washington College. Matt devoted himself to basketball and lacrosse, even though the seasons overlapped. Not only did he excel in both arenas, he also became a distinguished scholar. A consistent Dean's List student, member of the ODK national honor society and a two-time officer in the Theta Chi fraternity, Matt was honored with Academic All-American recognition. At graduation he received the Thomas Reeder Spedden Medal and the Eldridge Eliason Award, both given for excellent accomplishments in academics and athletics.

During his tenure on the basketball court, the program experienced four of the most successful seasons in its history. These teams won 77 games while losing only 28, assuring their spot in the Middle Atlantic Conference basketball tournament playoffs—and twice were selected to play in the NCAA Post-season Tournament. Matt usually started at a forward position. As a defensive specialist, he was assigned to guard one of the top offensive threats for the opponent. Statistics for these accomplishments are rarely recorded but he was known to restrict the opponent to which he was assigned.

As a freshman lacrosse player, Matt saw action at both midfield and defense. It soon became apparent that he would excel at the defensive position. Again, it is difficult statistically to judge the success of a defensive lacrosse player but Matt Wilson was one of the best to have played for the College. Again he was given the tough defensive assignments, and was used on all man down defensive situations and to those who know the game was judged to be a phenomenal force. The four teams he played for won 45 games while losing only 20, and were perennial post-season contenders in NCAA Division III play-offs.

The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association selected Matt to the first All-American team in both his junior and senior years. He received the NCAA Defensive Man of the Year Award in 1988. Additionally he represented Washington College in the annual North/South All-Star Game.

After college, Matt participated in the Major Indoor Lacrosse League—two years with Pittsburgh, two years with Baltimore, and two years with Philadelphia. He also played with the Mt. Washington Field Lacrosse Club, 1991 through 1995, and received two invitations to try out for the Team USA.

Washington College considers it an honor and privilege to induct Matt Wilson into the Washington College Athletic Hall of Fame on this fourth day of October, 2003.