College Sports

For the Pure Joy of It

I was recently back in Happy Valley for a few days to do a little work at our family townhouse and to facilitate a two-day Pragmatic Passion training program for Dallastown Area School District’s Leadership Team at the newly renovated Nittany Lion Inn. While in town, I had the pleasure of getting to see an […]

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I was recently back in Happy Valley for a few days to do a little work at our family townhouse and to facilitate a two-day Pragmatic Passion training program for Dallastown Area School District’s Leadership Team at the newly renovated Nittany Lion Inn. While in town, I had the pleasure of getting to see an amazing group of athletes who participate for the pure joy of it.  My last column focused on the lasting impact of a coach, so the timing couldn’t have been better.

You see, the amazing group of athletes I’m talking about were participating in the 55th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games that took place at Penn State from June 5-7. It is Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s largest statewide competition showcasing almost 3,000 athletes and coaches along with a truly dedicated corps of volunteers. The opening ceremonies at Medlar Field are all smiles, and besides the basketball that I was there to watch, there are five other sports including aquatics, athletics, equestrian, tennis and gymnastics.

While I was in town, I reached out to long-time friend and youth baseball coach Jeff Shoemaker. After we exchanged pleasantries, he just happened to mention that his brother-in-law, Matt Porter, would be competing in the Special Olympics over the next few days. I have known the Porter family for over 40 years and when Jeff suggested that I come up to the IM Building on campus to surprise Matt, I said I would make time to see my old friend.

When I arrived on campus, Matt’s team was having a pregame meeting in one of the old racquetball courts inside the IM Building while waiting for their next game. The same racquetball courts, by the way, where my wife, Heidi, and I played when we were dating. I strategically positioned myself just inside the doors to surprise Matt.  When he saw me, his eyes lit up and he raced over to give me the “Matt Porter Bear Hug.” If you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Pure, unabashed joy that he always wants to share with others. 

Just before the game started, in walked Dave and Joyce Porter, Matt’s parents, along with daughter Payton and their oldest son Andy, who I gave hockey lessons to at the old Greenberg Ice Pavilion many years ago. Andy had his kids with him, and it was so much fun watching his youngest climb all over him as they cheered on Uncle Matt. I turned to see two additional old friends in attendance, Penn State kinesiology professor Mike Morse and his son Willie. It was a blessing for me to be there to see old friends and witness the display of sportsmanship and unbridled joy from the athletes on the court.

As the game started, I found myself in amazement at the teamwork, the hustle, the smiles and the joy that the Olympians displayed. The game was a see-saw battle and Matt, according to Jeff, was already having one of his best offensive games ever. As the game wound down Matt’s best friend Chris Marshall grabbed a rebound and fired a court-long pass to Matt who not only caught the long bomb but banked it in for what would eventually be the winning basket. The score was inconsequential. The genuine joy and outpouring of happiness were something you wish you could bottle up and everyone could enjoy over and over again in their lives.

After the game the Matt Porter bear hugs were plentiful and there were even a few “Matt Porter Flying Bear Hugs” as he leaped into the arms of Willie Morse and later shared an even bigger one with brother-in-law Jeff Shoemaker with tears of joy streaming down his face. Matt’s team would play in the gold medal game a little later that day. 

Centre County gold medal winners, from left, Chris Marshall, John Hardy and Matt Porter.

Matt and his teammates went on to win the gold medal in the 5v5 basketball competition finishing 6-0, including the preliminary round. The team practices most of the year and does a lot of activities outside of basketball. Matt has become best friends with Chris Marshall through basketball, and they hang out all of the time. Matt is a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan while Chris loves the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they watch football games, Penguins hockey, Penn State hockey and PSU football together. They also go to church together every Sunday.

My hats off to the coaches for the Centre County team, Martin Wildy and Geoff Caber, for the great job they do making it fun for the athletes. Long-time volunteers Richie, Pamela and India Velasquez work for the team and Pamela actually works as the chief people officer and executive VP of Special Olympics Pennsylvania. These are good people who deserve our thanks for the time that they give to make these games a success and to give these athletes a forum to display their skills and abilities through sport.

Matt’s Centre County teammates include best friend Chris Marshall, Sarah Pelchar, Cierra Lesser, Liam Loop, Joey Schafer, Caitlin Baran, Stephanie Marshall, Jeff Grenell, Caylee Wert and John Hardy, who ran varsity track at State High and is a dynamo at both ends of the court.  John also plays in the Centre Parks Rec League on a soccer team with Payton and Andy Porter!

Gold medal winners from Centre County.

When Matt’s not busy playing or watching sports, he works at Weis Market on Westerly Parkway and also for his sister, Heidi Handler, at her horse farm. He drives around on the side- by-side and helps take care of the horses, and he loves to ride them.

Matt’s brother-in-law, as I noted, is my long-time friend Jeff Shoemaker, who I affectionately call Coach Jeff, as he has coached our son Ryan and Ryan’s best friends in baseball since they first started playing in State College. A sales manager for Citizens Bank Mortgage by day, Coach Jeff has always been an athlete-centered coach himself and is one of Matt’s biggest supporters. I asked Jeff what Matt was feeling after the gold medal victory and if he would interview Matt for me.  

Matt said, “My team played really well this year. I hope all of the teams had a lot of fun. My best friend is Chris, and we play on the same team and room together every year.  Everyone has so much fun!” Ah yes, for the pure joy of it!

Jeff enthusiastically added, “It has been great to see this team compete over the last couple of years. I’ve had a great opportunity to get to know them through the special Olympics and Night to Shine. I think all of us could learn just a little bit on how these athletes approach life, it is so positive and so inspiring.”

Matt Porter scores the winning basket in Centre County’s 15-13 victory. 

Jeff’s wife, Katie Shoemaker, who taught my youngest son Ryan in kindergarten at Corl Street Elementary, is Matt Porter’s sister. She said, “My brother, Matt, brings so much light and joy into our family. His positive attitude and genuine love for life are truly contagious. He reminds all of us that every day to appreciate the little things and to approach life with kindness and laughter. I’m so grateful to have him in my life. He’s taught me more about love, resilience and happiness than anyone else ever could.”

Coach Martin Wildy said, “These are wonderful athletes. They don’t age out, so the athletes help each other, and with a mix of experienced players that are better, they selflessly hand off the ball to less experienced players so they can score baskets.” He added, “We’ve won gold a couple times. But win or lose we always celebrate goals with each other. There are lots of hugs between other teams. Players hustle, compete at the highest level of their abilities and get to showcase their skills and abilities.”

There are so many lessons in sport and life to be learned from these Olympians. No NIL or Transfer Portal challenges here. Just pure joy.

Jeff Shoemaker receives a Matt Porter Bear Hug after Matt’s game-winning basket.



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