Matt Sokol Feature: Impact Player, Impact Person

Most people recognize the progress and the impact college athletes make during games, but what most people do not see is what is done outside of the stadium or arena.

Tight end Matt Sokol has made strides on and off the football field in his five years at Michigan State and continues to do so as the season rolls on.

Sokol enrolled at Michigan State in 2014 during the spring semester, just in time for spring practices. As he redshirted his freshman season, he worked hard, stayed focused and looked forward to the upcoming fall.

"I was just so excited about the opportunity to come here and get a grasp for a new position and start learning this offense," Sokol said. "I wasn't really expecting to play a lot my freshman season. We had a lot of great, talented guys in front of me, but I was just really honored and just trying to do everything I could to be prepared to do my role, whatever that was going to be."

His first two seasons as a Spartan in 2015 and 2016 did not disappoint as Sokol appeared in every game, seeing action as a fullback, tight end and on special teams.

Sokol's time on the field was limited as he played behind All-Big Ten tight end Josiah Price his first few years at Michigan State, but it never stopped him from working on his game and becoming the best player he could be.

Price's style and leadership was something Sokol was able to learn from in order to step in his junior season as a key player for the Spartans.

"He was an awesome role model to look up to here. He really showed me so much about being a student-athlete here at this university, taught me so much about the ins and outs of the position," Sokol said. "I just really can't thank him enough for the impact he had on me becoming the player I am today and helped get me to the position I am in today."

In his junior season, Sokol's performance was undeniably strong and effective. At the conclusion of the season, he recorded a career-high of 21 receptions for 222 yards, which led all Spartan tight ends, and added a touchdown.

As his game continued to progress so did his leadership ability. His teammates began to notice, and he was eventually named to the team's Eagles leadership council.

"I obviously waited my turn," Sokol said. "I got my feet wet a little bit in 2016 on offense. I have played a lot on special teams in my career, had a lot of experience there. Last season was the first year really getting significant playing time on offense. I've had my fair share of things to learn from and just kept growing."

Now in his senior year, Sokol has taken on the role as starting tight end and has excelled so far this season. With 45 reception yards and four tackles, Sokol leads his team on the field just as much as he does off the field.

Being able to help younger players, especially his young brother, redshirt-freshman Mitchell Sokol, reach their full potential is a goal of Sokol's. As he gets ready to leave Michigan State he wants to help keep the Spartan legacy alive and make sure success is in the Spartans' future.

"I think I've done a good job of showing younger guys how to do things right around here just by the way I work, by the way I carry myself," Sokol said. "I come in here every day trying to get better, trying to be positive. I think we've got a lot of talented guys below me, and I think they're going to be great players and going to be successful so I'm happy to have been able to be a leader for them."

With all the success he has on the field, Sokol has equally made an impact off the field, whether it is in the classroom or in the community.

Putting emphasis on the student in student-athlete, his achievements in class continue to be recognized. Sokol was an Academic All-Big Ten selection twice prior to graduating in December 2017 with his bachelor's in economics.

"That was one of the main things in me deciding to come in here early was the opportunity to further my education," Sokol said. "I've been really grateful for all the opportunities academically to grow and to have had the help from Mandy Chandler, our academic coordinator, to keep everything organized and take advantage of everything this university has to offer."

As he continues to pursue his master's degree in marketing research, his academic success still shines in the spotlight.

In September, Sokol was recognized for his well-rounded success in the community, the classroom and in competition. He was one of two students awarded with the PNC Achievers Student-Athlete of the Month.

"It's a huge honor and I feel very proud about that," Sokol said. "I'm just proud to see our team do so well academically, so many guys earn Big Ten honors. I think it really just illustrates the kind of discipline and work ethic we have around here with our football team and among other student-athletes."

Along with excelling in the classroom, Sokol is very involved in community service, ranging from nearby and out of Michigan, spanning all the way to Texas.

Sokol, along with other teammates, spent their off week aiding to communities in Houston, Texas, that were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

When the opportunity was presented, he jumped at the chance to go and help those in need. Being able to assist in events such as this are chances Sokol believes every student-athlete should participate in and use their position to help others.

"Seeing all the damage and destruction that occurred from the hurricane and for us to even be there, we weren't able to do a ton, but to be able to help out Tyler Higby's and Darrell Stewart's community and bring some positive energy to those people," Sokol said about his teammates who are from Houston and the Houston community. "I was really happy to be a part of that experience and grateful that we have people here at Michigan State that are willing to do things like that."

There are many people who have strongly impacted and helped Sokol become the man he is today and with everything he has learned, he hopes to leave a lasting impression in his final months here on campus, rooted with his parents, David and Kimberly Sokol.

Sokol's mother, Kimberly, is a "semi-pro" photographer, according to Sokol, but she can be seen at home and away games, snapping photos of the Spartans.

"She has loved taking photos of my brothers and me our whole lives," Sokol said proudly. "She's done high school senior photos for kids at our school, has done some weddings here and there, but she mostly does it for fun. She just really enjoys it. I know all the guys on the team enjoy her photos, they always grab them from her Facebook page and post them on social media. She just does it to make people happy, and she enjoys it. She just loves our team so much and loves all these guys like they're her own sons."

It is that type of character that has carried Sokol through his career and his years at MSU. And it's that character that he intends to carry in his final days wearing the Green & White.

"I'm grateful that I've had parents that raised me to be that way and instilled in me the morals, values and disciplines that I have today," Sokol said. "I think it's really just credit to my parents and all the great coaches and roles model I've had in my life along the way.

"I'm happy that I've been able to give this university everything that I have and I'm looking forward to giving this team and this program everything I can for the rest of the season."

Michigan State University Athletics

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