Matthew Mainville '16 Recruiting Profile

Like everyone else, I dream of being an NFL player, but my reality is much more grounded.  I intend to be the first one in my family to take my studies as far as they will take me. I have a great desire to succeed, and have had to jump quite a few hurdles to get where I am.  I know that college takes dedication and determination, both of which I have learned on the field.  From the beginning, playing football has taught behaviors that I have been able to use in almost all the other aspects of my life. On the field I have learned teamwork, leadership, discipline, respect and determination.  Playing football has taught me skills that have allowed me to overcome and master shortcomings in myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I believe that having lived with these issues puts me in a somewhat unique position in comparison to most other recruits.  What is unique about me you may ask?  I was born premature to a 15 year old mom and 17 year old dad. Shortly after he turned 18 my, father was killed in a car accident. My mom is my rock and #1 fan, her strength of character and determination, brought me this far, now it is strictly up to me. I had some health and learning issues due to being premature, but over the years have for the most part either outgrown or adapted to them. Having had those difficulties and experiences has given me the desire to help others, I plan to become a special education teacher, I believe that having been on the receiving end, could give me an advantage to become an extremely insightful advocate to those children who have special needs in order to succeed.  I volunteer for the Special Olympics and work with younger kids mentoring them in wrestling and flag football and it does my heart good to see those kids light up when they accomplish something for the first time.  Academically, even with the disabilities I have lived with, I have continuously kept my grades up and currently have a 3.35 average out of a 4.0. I am striving to bring that up to a 3.5 before I finish my high school career. Athletically, as a junior on the Varsity team, I started every game and played both offense, and defense as well as center on occasion. There were only two other juniors on the team that played every game. I may not be the “star quarterback”, but what I am is a driven and determined team player who will give my all, heart and soul.