Matt Burns introduction

As the introduction stated, my name is Matt Burns and I’ll be the one who’s writing all about not only our season, but what we go through over an entire year as a Plattsburgh State student-athlete. I graduated from Ellenville High School in 2006 and as any player could tell you, the four years (of College) go by faster than you would think. This season, however, I’m more excited about than any other year I’ve been here. With less than two weeks left before practices start, I see our team in a good position to do well. We have, in my opinion, the hardest working team since the program has been re-established at Plattsburgh (in 2002).

Graduation was tough on us last year. We lost a lot of talent and leadership, and it is always tough to find players to step in and fill those roles. I don’t think anyone has the mindset that we are trying to replace those guys, because every team has to establish themselves separately from previous seasons. Rather, we have both returners and newcomers who can take those spots and do more than hold their own. This is evident when you see the entire team doing more than what they’re asked in every way. We have more guys lifting and working out than ever before. There are a number of players helping out other guys do a little better in the classroom. It’s not about personal achievements or setting records, rather every guy on the team from top to bottom knows winning is the most important thing.

I think everyone knows that in order to get where you eventually want to be as a program, you must first take the smaller steps. Plattsburgh has been in the SUNYAC playoffs for seven years running now, and last year we got our first win in the tournament. Without a doubt, it was the best feeling I’ve had since being here. Now, it’s more than that. We expect to be in the playoffs again this year and this time, getting to the finals and do our work in those games. It’s not enough for our team to just be in the tournament. We focus on each game all season long, and never look to the next one, but we always have that goal in our minds.

Coach Doorey keeps us focused in every aspect. I think the fact that we’re playing for someone who started a program out of nothing, built a winning program while winning multiple (SUNYAC) Coach of the Year awards in such a short time span, it really makes everyone want to work a little harder on and off the field. We go out into the area and do a lot of community service. We work hard in the classroom because we know part of being a student-athlete is doing well in school as well as on the field. For any guys who might have trouble adjusting to a different workload or for newcomers and transfers who may not be accustomed to Plattsburgh, we set up hours in the library and learning center for those guys to have time to get work done there.

There is no doubt this year’s team has a great opportunity to do well. From top to bottom, everyone seems focused and driven to do well. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation for my last year here, and we’re all looking forward to the first practice.

#17