Matt Marquess
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- Title:
- Undergraduate Assistant Coach
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- Year:
- One Season as SCU Coach
While not a native Californian, Matt Marquess grew up in Palo Alto. From an early age, he played soccer, both with the Palo Alto and Stanford Soccer Clubs. He went to Gunn High School where he played both junior varsity and varsity soccer. As a freshman, his JV team won the league championship. During his sophomore year at Gunn, he distinguished himself by leading the varsity team in goals. The next year, the Titans were Central Coast Section champions and Marquess led the team with assists. His senior year, he was named team captain, co-MVP and named a first team all-league performer.
Marquess began his college soccer career at University of
California, Santa Cruz, in NCAA Division III. As a first-year
player, he earned the position of starting left back. He
played every game and scored five goals. It was a successful
year for the UCSC Banana Slugs. They ended the season strong
and went on to the Division III National Championships, losing in
the final game. Matt earned personal accolades including
being named to the NCAA Division III All-Tournament Team and
recognized as the Division III Independents, 'Freshman of the
Year.'
As a sophomore, he transferred to Santa Clara University. He came off the bench early his first season and progressed to anchoring the back line. He held that position of center back for two years, playing every game and continuing into the playoffs. While at SCU, he earned numerous accolades including his selection as Regional Academic All-American and ESPN Scholar Athlete. His junior season he was voted as the Broncos' 'Defender of the Year,' an honor bestowed by his teammates. Under the guidance of coaches Cameron Rast, Eric Yamamoto and Rusty Johnson he played most every position while at SCU and did whatever was required to help the team.
As a sophomore, he transferred to Santa Clara University. He came off the bench early his first season and progressed to anchoring the back line. He held that position of center back for two years, playing every game and continuing into the playoffs. While at SCU, he earned numerous accolades including his selection as Regional Academic All-American and ESPN Scholar Athlete. His junior season he was voted as the Broncos' 'Defender of the Year,' an honor bestowed by his teammates. Under the guidance of coaches Cameron Rast, Eric Yamamoto and Rusty Johnson he played most every position while at SCU and did whatever was required to help the team.
Midway through his senior year at SCU, Marquess was drafted in the third round of the MLS Superdraft by the Kansas City Wizards. He played two injury-plagued seasons with the Wizards before retiring to return to his ‘real’ life. He recently returned to SCU to finish his Finance degree; he will graduate in December 2010 with honors.
While soccer is his passion, Matt has always aggressively participated in most other sports, including baseball, basketball, hockey and golf. He has experience coaching youth soccer, baseball and roller hockey. While he was in Kansas City, he coached both U14 boys’ and U16 girls’ teams. He has volunteer coached with Palo Alto Little League. He has run summer soccer camps and worked privately with individual players and small groups.
Matt believes that though the medium of sports, including; mentorship, guidance, and coaching, both on and off the field, the impact of sports on kids can positively develop their athletic ability, and more importantly, critical life skills, giving them a strong foundation which can help them reach new heights and be productive members of society.
Matt believes successful coaching comes down to three things:
1. Having fun
2. Working hard
3. Learning the right things
He is excited to be back at SCU
Matt lives in Santa Clara. He has a brother, Jeff, who
lives in Austin, Tex., and a sister, Sarah, who is in San
Francisco. His parents, Jack and Jeanette live in Boulder,
Colorado.