The Penn State Behrend men’s basketball team began practice this past Wednesday. Heading into the 2018-19 campaign, the roster lists five seniors, but does not list all the seniors that will be a part of the program. Although he was unable to suit up in the 2017-18 season and may not play again, Matt Colpoys isan important senior in the Behrend basketball program for numerous reasons.

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Colpoys is a 2015 graduate of Cathedral Prep High School, where he twice lettered in basketball. In his senior season, he helped lead the Ramblers to the final four in the PIAA State Playoffs. Based on his play throughout his junior and senior seasons, Colpoys was asked to continue his academic and athletic career at Gannon, while drawing interest from Nazareth College and Penn State Behrend as well.

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Colpoys had known Head Coach Dave Niland prior to the recruiting process. Colpoys’ AAU basketball team in high school included current Behrend seniors Malike Brinson and Andy Niland, through whom he met Dave. When it came time to select where they would continue their academic and athletic careers, Behrend became a place where these three could play every game together. When asking Colpoys about the influence Coach Niland and his AAU teammates had on attending Behrend, Colpoys was quick to admit his belief in coach Niland as a mentor and a coach.

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Colpoys commented “Coach Niland is a great coach, but an even better man. He has been at Behrend for many years, and has achieved great excellence over his tenure here. Coach and I have always been on the same page about how we should play as a team, and he even lets me intervene and tells me when I am incorrect and correct about particular decisions. To me, that is what I needed and wanted in a coach at the college level.”

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As for the chance to play with his AAU teammates again, Colpoys knew this was an opportunity he could not pass up. “Having played with Andy and Malike in AAU, I knew these were two guys I wanted to play much more basketball with. Our AAU team was different than most because we had some really tough practices and established more offensive and defensive schemes than most AAU teams. After going through these tough practices and playing a lot of games with these guys, I knew that I would love the chance to play in college with both of them,” Colpoys stated.  

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While Colpoys made the decision to come to Behrend, he knew the importance of a quality education he could obtain here. He is a finance major who is graduating in December. When speaking to Dr. Greg Filbeck, Director of the Black School of Business former finance professor, he had nothing but outstanding things to say about Colpoys. “Matt Colpoys is destined for professional and personal success.  His analytical, written, and oral presentations skills are exemplary. With a winning ‘can do’ personality, his personal charisma is even further enhanced,” Filbeck said of Colpoys. While Colpoys’ undergraduate career in finance is coming to a close, his career in basketball is only beginning.

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Colpoys’ status about the upcoming season is up in the air, but he is preparing for his second season as a student assistant coach. He has been an incredible asset in this role because of his knowledge about the Behrend way to play the game and basketball IQ. Colpoys thinks about the game and studies film thoroughly, preparing himself for great success in coaching basketball.

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“I became a great analyzer of the game of basketball because my dad and I began watching film of my games when I was in sixth grade. We would break down what I did well and what I needed to do to improve. I really took my weaknesses to heart and put in the work to become a more well rounded player,” Colpoys said. It is no secret that he is not the tallest or fastest player on the floor, but he became a two year starter because of his work ethic, intelligence and willingness to give anything to win. His preparation and gameplanning as a player, and now as a coach, is vital to the success of the basketball program.

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Colpoys is a man of many talents, and card games are another one of his passions. “I love Texas Hold Em’ Poker.” Colpoys said. “I always have been someone who loves numbers, logic and thinking in depth about things. This game is perfect for me because it allows me to do all of those things.”

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In addition to card games, he loves to spend time watching the Buffalo Bills. He has been a loyal fan for many years, and every time the Bills win a game, people can be certain to find Colpoys saying or posting the quote “Nobody circles the wagon like the Buffalo Bills.” While the Bills, basketball, cards and finance take up a lot of his time, he still spends a lot of time with his family, who has provided him with a fantastic support system and foundation for a great future.

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Matt’ father Mike has been an incredible mentor in the game of basketball. His brother Conor was a player and person he looked up to growing up because of his basketball abilities and his intelligence in the classroom. Conor is a graduate of Notre Dame and resides in Chicago, where he works in finance. His sister Allison demonstrated the importance of what higher level education can do. She currently resides in Cleveland and works for the Cleveland Clinic after completing her degree at John Carroll University. His mother Noelle is a school teacher who has been instrumental in his education. “My mom helped me learn as a kid and also helped me make sure I was understanding things rather than memorizing them. I credit my mom helping me understand the importance of learning something thoroughly to remember it rather than memorizing it,” Colpoys stated of his mother’s impact on his learning.

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Colpoys’ biggest passion is coaching basketball. He hopes to become an NBA coach in the future, but is open to beginning his career at the college level. No matter where life takes him, he is sure to be around the game of basketball. While a foot injury has limited his full potential at Behrend, he approaches his time left here in such a positive way. Colpoys could be doing a variety of things outside of basketball, but rather he dedicates his time to the program and help the next generations of Behrend basketball.