Font Resize
STATE COLLEGE -- To say that Northeastern boys' volleyball coach Matt Wilson is a gem would be a huge understatement.
Coaching a high school sport is never an easy thing. Having success as a coach, while doing things the right way, is even more special.
While the Bobcats lost in Saturday's PIAA Class AA semifinal to Maplewood, the No. 2 ranked team in the state, Wilson handled the defeat with his typical class and grace.
Sure, he was disappointed, but afterward he candidly stated that Maplewood was "the better team."
But not by much.
This Northeastern squad is very good in its own right.
And thanks to Wilson and a great support of volleyball at the school, the youthful Bobcats could very well find their way back to Penn State next year.
This year's squad is dominated by sophomores. Some of them had older brothers Wilson coached, too.
Several former Northeastern players were regular spectators during the postseason run, including Eric Shoemaker and Travis Clemens, both of whom have brothers on the current team.
The two credit Wilson with being more than a coach.
"He taught me so much. Not just about volleyball," Shoemaker said.
Current Bobcat Nick Michalak called Wilson the heart and soul of the team.
Shoemaker's brother, Nic Shoemaker, a sophomore co-captain, heaped praise on Wilson, along with
"He is the best coach on earth," Nic said. "He is so inspirational. It's the same with our other coaches. That is what gets us here every year."
Wilson doesn't give lip service. If he is unhappy, you know it. Sometimes he doesn't have to say a thing.
As Clemens was quick to point out, it doesn't matter if you are the team star or sit at the end of the bench.
No preferential treatment.
It helps that he has walked the walk. Wilson starred for Northeastern before going on to play at Ohio State.
That is instant credibility with kids.
One to play hunches, Wilson pulls the right strings and pushes the right buttons.
For example, during Friday's PIAA pool play, he inserted junior Kenny Weaver, who played sparingly during the district title run, but came in and provided a spark both Friday and during the semifinal match.
Wilson could likely coach at a higher level, but stays close to home.
If you ask him, he is living a dream teaching and coaching at his alma mater.
"It is the greatest thing that could have ever happened, other than my family," he said. "To me, I see a lot of myself in these guys. Being able to give them what (former Bobcat coach) Tom Beakler gave me is certainly a treasure."
This season marked the sixth time a Wilson-coached team has made the state playoffs. He has reached the title game once in the past.
That's impressive considering the PIAA only had one classification until 2007, so Northeastern found itself competing against much bigger schools.
Although he hasn't won a state title yet, one could be on the horizon.
After all, he hadn't won a District 3 title until this season, so maybe it's a matter of taking the next step.
"It's sort of like the district situation. Some day we will break through that door, too," he said.
And that is not just lip service.
Steve Navaroli is a sports writer for the Daily Record/Sunday News. Reach him at 771-2060 or snavaroli@ydr.com.
