University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Black History Month: Matt Mincey
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
In honor of Black History Month, Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great. Throughout February, GopherSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni from almost every Gopher program. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the U of M, provide advice to current Gophers and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
Matt Mincey
Sport: Wrestling
Years: 2008-13
Hometown: Apple Valley, Minn.
Occupation: Graduate Student (MSU-Mankato)
What is it you honestly miss most about the University?
The university staff that I had interactions with have been great. They make a point to get to know you as an individual and not just another person walking through the halls. The city and facilities were also two things I enjoyed; the campus has everything you need and more.
If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be?
Have a 4.0 and win a national title.
Please share your favorite university or athletic event you've attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you?
Wrestling National Duals at Williams Arena was the most exciting event for me on the University of Minnesota campus. The tournament was set up and ran perfectly and there was a ton of exciting wrestling, with the Gophers coming away with the title.
What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the world-class staff and athletes at the U of M. Being around those individuals and being able to learn from them and grow has been very beneficial to me personally.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
To me, one thing that sticks out in Black History Month is that even though we tend to look at one person, although very influential and beneficial to the specific movement, the movement as a whole involved contributions from many different people standing up for what they believe in. It may be tough for one person to make a change as an individual, but if you have a group of people come together for a common purpose, you can change the world.