Spartan Profile: Matt Van Dyk
12/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Matt Bontorin, MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan head coach Tom Izzo has assembled 21 different teams since taking over as Michigan State's head coach in 1995. Each team under Izzo has been distinct in its own way, yet all share the same mentality of toughness and hard work. Some players are born with it, while others adopt it. For redshirt junior walk-on Matt Van Dyk, putting in hard work was never a choice â€" it was a requirement.
Growing up in the heart of Michigan's thumb region, Van Dyk was born into the family business of farming. In fact, Van Dyk farms located in Imlay City is one of the largest lettuce farms east of the Mississippi.
"We sell to all the big processors," said Van Dyk. "Dole, Fresh Express, Freshway, ReadyPac, Kroger and even sometimes Meijer. So basically, if you live in Michigan at some point you've eaten our lettuce."
Four different types of lettuce are grown over 600 acres of land on Van Dyk farms, which meant growing up, everyone was held accountable to put in their fair share of work.
"I didn't live the normal American childhood," said Van Dyk. "When my friends were out in the summer having fun I couldn't be there because I had to be up at 6 a.m. every morning. It wasn't difficult for me to do though because I enjoyed it â€" it was all I knew."
While Van Dyk dedicated himself to the farm, it did not stop him from developing a passion for the game of basketball. The 6-5 forward averaged 15.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game as a senior at Imlay City High School and was a Class B All-State honoree.
After graduating in the spring of 2011, Van Dyk spent one semester at Hope College before transferring to St. Clair County Community College. The talented forward dominated the MCCCA [Michigan Community College Athletic Association] earning several awards for his outstanding play, including first team All-Conference in 2014 and team MVP. Off the court the Imlay City native was equally impressive, earning the NJCAA's [National Junior College Athletic Association] Award for Superior Academic Achievement.
What was most impressive about what Van Dyk was able to accomplish was his ability to continue to work 12-hour days on the farm multiple times a week.
"The saying for us is ‘never get off Muck Road'," said Van Dyk. "That's the road our farm is on, and when I went to community college I still commuted everyday, so it felt like I never really left." In the summer of 2014 Van Dyk sought out an opportunity to transfer to Michigan State, where he could receive a degree in agricultural business. Upon enrolling, he reached out to Spartan assistant coach Mike Garland about walking on to the team.
Van Dyk impressed the coaching staff immediately with his tenacity and hard work and was offered a walk-on spot.
While this was a dream come true for the small-town farmer, it would also be the first time he would be leaving his family and his farm on Muck Road.
"Coming to Michigan State was the first time I ever really got off Muck Road," said Van Dyk. "It was tough at first, but now that I've moved to East Lansing and experienced life outside of Muck Road, it's been pretty cool."
Van Dyk was welcomed with open arms by the team but in particular by Linwood, Michigan native Matt Costello. Costello and Van Dyk connected instantly after learning about one another's shared system of religious beliefs.
"Him [Costello] and I are always arguing theology together â€" it's kind of funny," said Van Dyk. "We're always reading our bible and talking about it together. It's really helped having him here."
The two basketball players also now share an apartment with fellow Spartan athletes and religious journeymen Ryan Haag [Track and Field/Cross Country] and Josiah Price [Football].
"It seems like every night all four of us talk to one another about what we believe," said Van Dyk. "We challenge each other and keep each other accountable. It's been an awesome living situation."
Despite Van Dyk having to take a redshirt year last season, he has still received an overwhelming amount of support from his hometown.
"There has only ever been one other guy to go to a major Division I college program from my hometown," said Van Dyk. "So when I go home, so many people want to talk to me. I never in my life would have expected random people to come up to me and say, ‘ hey, you're Matt Van Dyk.'"
While the recognition has been a nice change of pace, Van Dyk is also clear in his intentions to remain true to himself and his values of hard work and humility. Whether it is on the court or in the fields, Van Dyk prides himself on giving maximum effort.
"I'm not anywhere near the most talented or the strongest or the fastest, but I have heart," said Van Dyk. "I can give 110 percent and am consistent. Anybody is capable of doing that, but not many people show it nowadays." After Van Dyk completes his degree and finishes his playing career he has every intention to return to Imlay City to help with his family's farm.
"I'm so excited to go back to the farm, I miss it so much," said Van Dyk. "People always pick fun at me because I always try to go home to work on the days off. Yes, it is physical labor, but to me it's peaceful. Being out in a field on my tractor to me is like being on vacation floating in the water â€" there's just something about it that I love."
While his family will be happy to have him back after next season, it is the Michigan State basketball team and coaching staff that are thankful to have him at the moment.
"Yes, I'm excited to go back to the farm, but I'm also thankful for the chapter of my life that I'm in right now," said Van Dyk. "I've bought into this team and this program 100 percent and am doing everything I can to help the team achieve its goals"
