Michigan State University Athletics
Matt Macksood Feature: From Tennis Shoes to Football Cleats
10/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Kacy Kobakof, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- One minute, you're the little kid sitting in the bleachers at Spartan Stadium, cheering for your favorite players as loud as your 10-year old self can. The next minute, that same little kid is now a Division I athlete, standing on the field, smiling up at those little fans yelling "Go Green," remembering when that was once you.
For senior wide receiver Matt Macksood, this scene is actually from his journey.
"I used to come to Spartan Stadium all the time as a little kid, watching games, never thinking that it could ever be possible or happen," Macksood remembered. "Then, in my junior and senior year, I started talking to the coaches here, communication back and forth. That's when it became real, that dream, that this could actually become a reality here for me."
After graduating from Lansing Catholic Central High School in 2012, Macksood turned down offers from a few Division II schools and made his decision to wear the Green and White.
"I remember getting a text from Coach Sam (wide receiver coach Terrence Samuel), saying ‘why don't you come over today? Let's make you a Spartan.' And from then on, I was so happy," Macksood said. "I knew it was going to be a tough route, but I knew at some point it could work out for me, and fortunately enough, it worked out for me after my first year here."
From day one, he took a path that required determination, hard work and belief in himself to succeed. After a strong 2012 season as a redshirt, Macksood was named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week preparing for the Wisconsin game. He was put on scholarship in 2013 because of his hard work and performance.
"Coming in here as a freshman walk on, you get opportunities but you don't get as many. You have to make your opportunities count. So, realizing that, taking advantage of that, I think I took advantage of all the opportunities I was given, which is why I got to be put on scholarship."
As the 2013 season approached, Macksood couldn't wait for Spartan football to start. Appearing in 12 games, he continued to become a contributing member of the team.
"That was huge for me. Trusting my ability, trusting the people here, believing what they said, that I could have a chance to play here, earn a scholarship here, and believing in them and having them believe in me. I like the route I took. It means a lot more to me to start as a walk on and earn a scholarship than just get one right out of high school."
In the 2014 season, Macksood played in seven games. In the 2015 season, he played in all 14 games, to earn his third letter.
Aside from the hard work on the field, Macksood is one to work even harder off the field in his preparation. He demonstrates his leadership in setting a good example for the younger players both on and off the field.
"I just want to be the best teammate that I can be. I'm there for anyone. I'm in that position now with these freshmen receivers playing a lot. I know what I'm doing out there, but to see them go out there, and me be able to coach them is rewarding. Whether that's in football, if that's in life, classes, socially or whatever, I think that's a big part of my role now. Being a senior, if I'm not going do it, why would they do it? Being a leader on the team, leading these young freshmen receivers, that's really the role that I think I've taken on this year, so I hope I'm doing a good job of that."
One of the biggest ways that Macksood shares his knowledge and helps not only the young receivers, but also all of his teammates is by using what's known around the team as that "Macksood-sense-of-humor."
"I definitely bring a funny aspect to the team. I like to poke fun at people, a lot. I feel bad for the people that are next to my locker because I never ever stop talking," he laughed. "When you can lighten the mood a little bit, I think our coaches always enjoy it, it's just a change in direction. I can get up there, make everybody laugh. We had a camp video this year, and I made fun of a ton of coaches. That was funny."
As much as being a Spartan on the field taught Macksood throughout his years at MSU, it was the lessons he learned off the field that impacted him the most.
"Being a student-athlete puts things into perspective. It teaches you time management. You're held to a higher standard, which is good. You can't come to college and slack off," he said. "You're not just representing yourself. I mean, I'm representing Michigan State every time I go out. I'm representing this football team every time we do anything. Just the platform that it's put me on, opening doors for my career and beyond has really impacted me."
Following the non-traditional path proved to be one of the best things that has happened to Macksood.
"It was difficult for sure. At the same time, that's where I got the most growth as a football player, being on the scout team for two, three years. I got to go against first round draft picks everyday," he reflected. "No one ever wants to be on the scout team. It's not a fun thing, but it's a necessary thing to start your career. If you would have asked me that back then, I would have said it was the worst thing of my life. And just knowing that what I'm doing in practice, if I take that role as a blow off role, then they're not going to be ready for the game. Everyone plays their part and you've just got to be ready to be that next guy up. But, now I'm old enough, I can reflect on it, and it was honestly the best thing for me. It's where I learned everything."
In his years as a Spartan, his entire experience came full circle.
"If I had one word to describe Michigan State, I'd say everything. I don't even know how to describe it. It literally means everything to me. It's a platform, it's a network, it's a team, it's a family, brotherhood. I wouldn't ever want to go anywhere, literally anywhere else in the country. I wouldn't trade anything that I have. It means everything to me. I love this university so much. Growing up a Spartan fan, and being able to be a Spartan alumni, a Spartan football player, is something that's never broken. I can't wait to go out in Spartan Stadium and get remembered for a couple of the things that we accomplished here. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything."
