Matt Bechtel is a senior track and field athlete at the University of Mary Washington. After transferring to UMW from UNC Wilmington, Bechtel was a member of the 2010 UMW baseball team that captured the CAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. After missing the 2011 season with an injury, Bechtel joined the track and field team this winter, and will look to help the Eagles to a conference title this spring.  INTRODUCING … Matt Bechtel.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   This is my first semester running track and field for UMW after playing baseball for the Eagles.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I’m a Business major and I think the most important thing I’ve learned is how to work with different people.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  Any spot on campus walk as long as the sun’s shining.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?  I enjoy traveling to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. It’s probably where I hope to end up one day and its one of the nicest places I’ve ever been.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I’m a member of UMW’s Entrepreneurs Club.  It’s a great group that hosts local business speakers and hosts events off campus.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   As a sophomore, I was a member of UMW’s 2010 CAC Champion Baseball team. Rushing the field with my teammates was a great moment that I’ll never forget.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  I think the most important issue for students is to try and get the most out of your college experience. College is a process of turning yourself into a professional, but it’s also where you find yourself. Without that balance, you can’t have a truly fulfilling college experience.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?   If there were one thing I could change about the world it would be to eliminate violence. In particular, I’d want to eliminate domestic violence against women.  It’s a personal issue for me that people need to be aware of. It destroys people’s lives and the world would be better off without it.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   I’ve had a lot of influential people in my life.  But if I had to pick one, it would have to be my buddy Bruce from back home. I grew up with him, got in trouble with him, and I always know he has my back as I have his.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  Music. I can’t imagine life without it.

What is your favorite source of information (TV, book, magazine, website, friends in dining hall, etc.)?  It depends on the information I’m looking for, but I would say my friends and family.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Never give up. If you have a dream or something you truly love, take it as far as you can go. Don’t believe anyone who says you can’t do something.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  Cal Ripken Jr. is definitely one of my favorite sports figures because he was able to break a record that was deemed impossible. People that do the impossible give hope to those who are continually told they can’t do something or that they will never be successful. He also treats people the right way and is one of the good guys in sports.  

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?   I would like to have dinner with Eric Church, Derek Jeter, and my Grandfather.   I love country music and Eric Church is one of my favorites. I’ve been a lifelong Yankees fan and as a little kid I always imagined playing for the Yankees with Derek Jeter.  My Grandfather passed away just after I turned three, so I never really got a chance to get to know him. I think I’d probably ignore the other two for just a dinner with him.