After competing and volunteering on the team for years, Assistant Track Coach for Throwing Matt Royer was promoted to a full-time position nine years ago. For Royer, UIndy is more than a job, it is home.
“I did not want to coach at first,” Royer said. “I really just wanted to keep throwing post-collegiately, but I had a mentor who was the previous coach … and he kind of got me into coaching because I just love the connection. … I think it’s that camaraderie once I realized watching kids develop into what they’re able to become, it was very rewarding and satisfying.”
Royer said he understands the struggles his athletes go through, so he strives to provide a space that accepts and accommodates anyone and everyone, regardless of background. Due to this, Royer said he stays true to himself and those around him to provide the best experience possible.
“I try to just stick to the same person I am,” Royer said. “I’m just goofy, and I just enjoy just being alive and living that part of it. If I have to differentiate myself when I come here, what’s the point of doing that? … You have to be fun and you got to enjoy what you’re doing.”
Red shirt senior thrower Zoe Pentecost agrees, saying that the environment Royer cultivates allows for fun, despite his busy schedule as a father and coach for all five throwing events for the men’s and women’s teams.
“We just have such a fun time at practice,” Pentecost said. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We can always joke around with him and tell him everything. He makes the environment just light and fun, but we’re also there to get better, so it’s a good dynamic.”
Player praise is not where Royer’s success ends, especially after last year when Pentecost won two national titles for the indoor and outdoor season with weight throw and hammer throw respectively. Pentecost said she had never touched those two events before entering the collegiate circuit.
“He started me from scratch, he took a chance on me and taught me everything, and he’s just been such an encouragement,” Pentecost said. “He’s been there with me through every step of the way, through all the injuries, all the highs and lows. He’s been awesome.”
With Pentecost back for her final year of eligibility and Royer with high hopes, both have said this year’s women’s team is shaping up to be one of the best. Royer said his previous record for players taken to nationals in one season was seven, but he said he has faith the team will break it this year.
“I took seven kids to nationals… I think I can break that number this year,” Royer said. “I would really like to, and that would show a big success. Because I’m proud of the university, I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do for it, and I’m not afraid to let people know that.”
Regardless of the success, Royer said he does this job for the players, the throwers he oversees. After seeing them grow and mature, Royer hopes they are prepared for the future.
“I think that’s the one big thing I try to get every one of my kids to leave here with is to have confidence in themselves and their decision making,” Royer said. “To know that the next stage in life isn’t scary, as long as you go in headstrong and fully believe in what your own capabilities are. You should be able to achieve whatever you have envisioned for yourself.”
