The percentage of collegiate athletes who become professional athletes is low. According to the NCAA website, only 1.1 percent of athletes who participate in men’s basketball at the college level and turn pro. However, most college athletes aren’t looking to take their games beyond their college years. Instead, athletic scholarships are used primarily as a means to obtain a college degree. The NCAA reports that 86 percent of athletes obtain degrees in Division I athletics, 71 percent in Division II, and 87 percent in Division III.
Hardaway High School Principal Matt Bell was a multi-sport athlete in high school and was seriously recruited for football. A funny thing happened on the way to thinking about a career in law enforcement. Bell, who attended high school in Pennsylvania, received an athletic scholarship and became a member of Columbus State University’s men’s basketball team. He is one of those college athletes who obtained a degree while playing sports. The Muscogee County School District school administrator later chose education as a career.
In The Game recently asked Bell 10 questions about his experience as an athlete, his time as a CSU Cougar, and how participating in athletics has helped him as an administrator.
In The Game: Where did you attend high school?
Matt Bell: Trinity Area High School, Washington, Pennsylvania.
ITG: What sports did you play?
MB: Football, basketball, and track.
ITG: What position(s) did you play in those sports?
MB: Wide receiver/long snapper; forward; (and) hurdles/triple jump.
ITG: You attended Columbus State University and played basketball for the Cougars. What position did you play for the team?
MB: All five positions.
ITG: Why did you choose to attend CSU?
MB: I was not recruited by any colleges for basketball. I was heavily recruited for football. My grandparents were retired military and lived in Columbus. I came down to visit and tried out for the basketball team in the spring. I did not think my tryout went well because the guy I was guarding absolutely destroyed me. At the end of the tryout, I told Coach Greene I was thankful for letting me tryout and I was sorry I couldn’t stop the guy I was guarding. He told me it was okay, that I was guarding Sam Mitchell (professional basketball player). He liked my effort and offered me a full scholarship on the spot. My dad told me sign the papers. I did.
ITG: For the seasons you were with CSU, you played under the coaching direction of the late Herbert Greene. How was he influential in your life at that time?
MB: Coach Greene was not only a great teacher, (but) he was a great motivator. He was able to recognize each individual’s strengths and put them in a position to excel, both on and off the court. Coach Greene taught me that coaching is a by-product of teaching. School principals are basically coaches themselves. I model my coaching style after Coach Greene’s.
ITG: Were there any memorable moments in your playing career as a CSU Cougar that stand out in your mind?
MB: Winning the first ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship in 1992. We defeated first ranked USC Spartanburg, a team we had never beaten previously.
ITG: When you graduated from Columbus State, what was the career path you took that eventually led you to have the job you now have as principal of Hardaway High School?
MB: I intended to earn a graduate degree in Public Administration and join the DEA. Coach Greene offered me a chance to work as a graduate assistant coach and have my graduate school paid. I enjoyed coaching, so I switched over to education. It was much safer than being shot at.
ITG: As a former high school and college athlete, what are some of the things you have learned from participating in sports that helped prepare you for your life as an educator and administrator?
MB: Teamwork. As an athlete, you get to know your role as a team member. The people that I know who are successful have a great understanding of what it takes to be a good team member. I try to know my role and do what I can to make the people around me better.
ITG: What advice would you give a high school athlete who is considering playing athletics at the next level?
MB: Be prepared to compete. You may be the best player in your city or state. When you step onto a college team, you are suddenly on a team with 12 other guys who were the best in their city or state. Work at being a good teammate and be accepting of your role. Listen to your coaches and try to soak up as much knowledge about the game as possible. You don’t know what you don’t know.
Personal Bio:
Name: Matthew Carey Bell
Job Title: Principal, Hardaway High School
Hometown: Ft. Benning, Georgia
Education (high school, college, and degrees): Trinity Area HS; Columbus State University, BS, Public Administration; Master’s in Education Administration; Troy University, Ed Specialist Degree, School Administration
Family: Married to Trina Abbott Bell; two children, Jeffrey and Samantha
Athletic accomplishments (awards, notable statistics, championships): College — Finished career in third place on the list of most games played, member of the first ever Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship Team (1992); High School — Football, All Conference WR, All-State Honorable Mention; Basketball, All Observer Reporter Team, Team MVP, All Conference First-Team
Professional accomplishments: Increased graduation rate from 65 percent in 2012 to 90 percent in 2016
Hobbies or favorite past times: Crossfit and reading
Person you most admire: Trina Abbott Bell (wife) because she overcame many obstacles to become a great mother and nurse. She has a passion to serve others.
Best thing about your current job/position at Hardaway High School: Being able to work around young people and help them develop academically and socially. They help keep my mind sharp.
Columbus Valley/January 2017
Matt Bell
Principal, Hardaway High School
Columbus, GA
Written by: Beth Welch
10 Questions With Matt Bell
