Michigan State University Athletics
Matt McQuaid: A Texan Finds His Place In Michigan
11/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Grace Wheeler, MSU Athletic Communications Staff Assistant
At the conclusion of his prep career in 2014, Matt McQuaid packed up his whole world and began the cross-country journey from Duncanville, Texas, to East Lansing, Michigan. Full of unknowns and new expectations, the experience of a lifetime lay in front of him. McQuaid has his family and teammates to thank for that.
Athletics weren't uncommon in the McQuaid household. They have encompassed the sophomore's life due to his parents' fond interest in the sports world.
"My mom was a cheerleader at New Mexico State, my dad was a big-time football player, and he played basketball in college, so I have always been around athletics," remarked McQuaid.
More particularly, basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard has had basketball in his life since before he could walk. That's what happens when your dad is the high school boys' basketball coach.
"With my dad as the high school coach, I always used to go to the gym with him. I got to see what the sporting world was like at such a young age. I got to be around basketball all the time."
Of course sacrifice comes at all ages, and to get where he is now McQuaid had to make sacrifices at a young age. Early mornings, late nights, missing out on free afternoons, but it was all more than worth it for the sharp shooter.
"My dad and I would shoot together all the time. He used to do a skills training, and we would be at the gym on Sunday's for about four or five hours," said McQuaid. "I'd be kind of upset because I didn't get to watch football on Sunday's, but he always told me ‘this will help you in the long run,' and it was all for a good cause."
Well years down the road, McQuaid looks back and reflects on his decision to make some of those tough sacrifices.
"It has all definitely paid off, and I don't regret a minute of missing some of those Sunday football games at all."
Throughout his journey, the long hours, the long practices, the long bus rides, the good and the bad, the love for the sport has never dwindled in his eyes, and he knows that is all possible thanks to his family support system.
"One of my biggest influences would be my dad," stated McQuaid. "He put basketball into my life, and he has given me a lot of advice. He has really helped me get through a lot of hard times, he has helped me through the process and he has helped me grow."
You can't give credit to one parent and not the other, McQuaid made sure of that. His mother has taught him how to grow off the basketball court.
"She pushes me to not focus on just basketball, but also on school and faith. She puts an emphasis that there is more than just basketball," said McQuaid.
His parents' guidance and support helped him land in East Lansing, and they support him from afar, but now he has his Spartan family to lean on.
"I am beyond happy that I am at Michigan State. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else with any other group of guys. This program truly defines what Spartan Family is," remarked McQuaid.
After being a part of this program for over a year now, McQuaid realizes he is a part of something so much bigger and knows he has found his niche on this team.
"I see myself as a shooter more now than I was last year," stated McQuaid. "I am not playing as much point [guard] so my job is to shoot the ball, bring energy, be a lockdown defender and just play solid all-around basketball."
The ideal position for me would probably be the two [shooting guard], but I think it was good for me to play the one [point guard] a little bit last year because it got me experience. It made me see more things on the court, and overall it made me a much better player."
From netting nearly three 3-pointers per game as a senior at Duncanville High School to sinking clutch 3's in the Green and White, behind the arc is a hotspot and frequently visited place for McQuaid.
"One of my biggest highlights from last season was probably the Kansas game when I hit a couple 3's, and it kind of helped seal the deal in the final minutes of the game," said McQuaid. "That was definitely a big moment for me. On one of those 3's Zel (Denzel Valentine) yelled ‘shoot it', and it gave me a lot of confidence, and it helped me get that shot to go in."
Confidence is key, and after a full season as a college athlete and another summer at Michigan State, McQuaid is filling in his role as a key player. He has begun to see more action as the 2016-17 season gets underway, and he is embracing it with confidence.
"It definitely gives me a little bit more confidence, knowing that coach trusts me enough to put me in that starting position. It makes me excited because this is one of the best programs in the country, and it is a big step," said McQuaid. Michigan State hasn't just given him opportunities on the court, but this program has made it possible for him to see the world. This season alone, the MSU men's basketball team will travel to Hawaii, the Bahamas, Madison Square Garden… the list goes on for the Spartans.
"It has been a really great experience to be able to travel as much as we have. It was neat to go to Italy last summer, and seeing some of those places was phenomenal," said McQuaid. "It was awesome to go to California, and go to the Champions Classic in Chicago and play where Michael Jordan played. You get to play all over the country and that's something that's really cool."
This past year and a half has been nothing shy of an experience of a lifetime for Matt McQuaid, and he doesn't plan to have it stop anytime soon.
"If I had to pick one thing that I have taken away is that you have to bring it every day. You have to bring passion and energy. You have a job to do, and you have to complete that job. Everybody has a role, and we all have to keep everybody accountable," said McQuaid.
