Q&A with Megan: Featuring Matt Lawrence

Alfred State sport management major Megan Gridley recently interviewed athletic department Faculty Athletic Rep (FAR) Matt Lawrence. Dr. Lawrence was appointed the Alfred State faculty athletic representative in the summer of 2014.

How can student-athletes use you as a resource during this pandemic?

As the campus faculty athletic representative, I'm here to help student athletes be successful and navigate the sometimes complex situations that can arise from being a student and an athlete at Alfred State. 

For example, we have academic regulations that identify what constitutes an excused class absence (athletic competition) and is unexcused (athletic practice). The pandemic has had a significant impact on what it is like to be a student on our campus.  During these times, there may be some confusion about how we interpret these and other academic regulations for student athletes and athletic events. I can help you with those questions.

Also, I've been here for a while. I know whom to call for just about anything on the campus. I certainly don't know all the answers, but we can work together to find some resolution to a question you have.

There is a lot of stress around this pandemic, how are you keeping your stress level down?

It is stressful! This pandemic is a health threat to everyone, and good health is something we all value. The best thing you can do (and I do) is to take control of the things you can control to minimize risk. Wear a mask, minimize at-risk behavior, and follow the guidance of health professionals.

As we adjust to these times, no doubt you are spending less time socializing and more time alone, at home, in your dorm, maybe in quarantine. Wherever we find ourselves, let's all try to do something positive. You are a leader, and how you act will affect others. Make it your goal to come out of this a little better than when it all started, and try to bring a few of your friends and family along in this effort.

Here is what works for me: Get outside! It's an oxygen-rich environment, and that just feels good. Go for a walk. Jump rope. Listen to a podcast. Read a book. Catch a sunrise and a sunset in the same day - When is the last time you did that? 

With finals coming up, what is the best advice you can give any student?

Here is a great quote about college: "Someone with an hour to kill tends to spend it with someone who doesn't." You know who I'm talking about. These people will find you unless you find a place where you can hide and study. Really study! 

Put in some quality time, alone or with a classmate. Put the phone down, take out your flashcards, a practice exam, class notes, etc.. You have so much invested in this education, and there are so many resources on this campus to help you be successful. Use them! 

Cramming for exams does not work. Only studying the night before an exam would be just like sitting on a couch all track preseason then running a mile as fast as you can the night before your first big track meet. How would that work out? Do a little each day, and you will develop the skills you need for the final over time.

Some students still haven't met with their professors and they may be struggling, what would you tell a student in that situation?

It's late in the game! Another quote for you, "The best time to plant a tree is 25 years ago. The second best time is today." The message here is that issues in the classroom are best addressed early in the semester, but if you missed that chance don't wait another day.

It's never too late to meet with your professor and communicate clearly your willingness to be successful. Request a time to get together on Microsoft Teams, professors all have access to that and can send you a meeting time. Professors, just like your coaches, appreciate a student that works hard, communicates clearly, recognizes when she/he needs help, and shows the initiative to get help.

Being the liaison between student-athletes and professors, how can someone contact you if they are struggling?

Email: lawrenmj@alfredstate.edu

Phone: 607-587-4652

Office: 253 Engineering Technology Bldg.

Quick Hits: 

Favorite professional team?

Bills. And this isn't a "now that they are 7-2…Go Bills!" response (not that there is anything wrong with that).  There is some history here.  My grandmother never missed a game when I was growing up. 

Quick story:  My grandmother had this huge TV antenna on her house roof.  On top of the TV there was this little dial – almost like a kitchen timer with the knob in the middle.  When she turned the knob to a certain position, the antenna would spin on the roof to that location.  Depending on the location of the antenna, you could get TV reception - one channel at a time.  Sounds fancy, but this was a very primitive system sending a signal to an outdated and hilariously tiny TV in a very old house.  Anyway, she had about three spots around that dial labeled so she could remember where to put the antenna to get the channel.  Two of the spots you could guess – some evening channel and some channel that showed a program she liked.  The third spot had written on it, in cursive grandma handwriting: "Go Bills".

My family and I now watch the Bills – on Hulu. 

Favorite game to attend at Alfred State?

The reason I like sports is not necessarily sport-specific, so I'm going to dodge that question.  What I most appreciate something that transcends all sport – watching our student athletes working hard and working together toward a common goal.  That's the magic of sports and that's the lifelong skill you all are developing – regardless of discipline.

Also, I like to see the people in the stands as much as I like to watch competition.  The parents rooting for their kids, younger sisters and brothers that are along for the ride and running back and forth from the concession stand.  They have always been there for you: likely through age-group, high school, and now college.  Call them up today and thank them for their support!

Favorite place to eat around Alfred?

Duke's pizza.  I grew up in northeastern PA so I'm a bit of a pizza snob.  I tend to be critical of pizza around here, but Duke's makes a pretty good pie!