The University of Akron Athletics
In Their Own Words - Matt Ludwig Alumni Postcard
Akron Athletics wants to hear from YOU!
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Matt Ludwig (2016-2019, men's track and field)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
In my experience, the people around you are almost always willing to help you in any capacity they can. Whether professors, coaches, or teammates, everyone shares a common goal in your success as a Zip.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are restless being so far away from our daily routines; however, we are taking the opportunity to finish projects around the house.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Take this time to recognize and appreciate the blessings in life that you still have, rather than what is lost. Positive outlooks and hopefulness will keep us grounded as we await the next steps.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
Trying to maintain training as a professional pole vaulter as best as possible until the facilities at Akron become available again.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
Coach Dennis Mitchell and the pole vault program. Coach Mitchell has always paid special attention to the pole vault, and the successes of his athletes speak for themselves.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
I felt much more at home while visiting and transitioning here as a student-athlete than any other school. I enjoyed having many pole vault teammates, and the overarching attitude of the team was one of inclusion and support, not ego and competitiveness.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
The ability to self-reflect on previous endeavors and visualize for future challenges has been paramount for reaching the success that I've dreamed of. Reflection has allowed me to understand my weaknesses and bring the correct changes to my plan of attack. Visualization has mentally prepared me for the stress, pressure, and fear of performing in highly-competitive environments.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
I believe that being a student-athlete at Akron created opportunities for me to engage in conversations with all types of individuals from all backgrounds. Those conversations have aided in my social growth and educated me in topics that I was completely ignorant of.Â
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Personally, the difference is the mental reaction to the outcomes of the game/sport. When playing, the main goal is having fun. When competing the main goal is winning; however, these goals are not mutually exclusive. Win, lose, or draw, I've always loved doing something in a competitive environment.
Send us a postcard! Share your story as a Zips' student-athlete and Alum.
Challenge your former teammates and classmates to send us postcards on all of Akron's Zips' social media platforms.
You can upload your own video challenges on your own Twitter (preferred) or other social media accounts, if you do so, please include #ZipsRiseTogether and #ZipsAlumniPostcardChallenge in your social media posts so we can highlight your efforts. Additionally, please visit GoZips.com/AlumniPostcard to complete an online postcard.
Matt Ludwig (2016-2019, men's track and field)
What makes you most proud to be a Zip?
In my experience, the people around you are almost always willing to help you in any capacity they can. Whether professors, coaches, or teammates, everyone shares a common goal in your success as a Zip.
How are you and your family doing during this time?
We are restless being so far away from our daily routines; however, we are taking the opportunity to finish projects around the house.
Any messages of hope or inspiration for fellow Zips out there during our current stay-at-home orders?
Take this time to recognize and appreciate the blessings in life that you still have, rather than what is lost. Positive outlooks and hopefulness will keep us grounded as we await the next steps.
What is your current job, title, ect. that are keeping you busy these days?
Trying to maintain training as a professional pole vaulter as best as possible until the facilities at Akron become available again.
What was/were the deciding factors(s) that brought you to Akron?
Coach Dennis Mitchell and the pole vault program. Coach Mitchell has always paid special attention to the pole vault, and the successes of his athletes speak for themselves.
What was/were your first impression(s) of Akron?
I felt much more at home while visiting and transitioning here as a student-athlete than any other school. I enjoyed having many pole vault teammates, and the overarching attitude of the team was one of inclusion and support, not ego and competitiveness.
What is it that you have learned from being a student-athlete at Akron that you will use throughout your life after graduation?
The ability to self-reflect on previous endeavors and visualize for future challenges has been paramount for reaching the success that I've dreamed of. Reflection has allowed me to understand my weaknesses and bring the correct changes to my plan of attack. Visualization has mentally prepared me for the stress, pressure, and fear of performing in highly-competitive environments.
How has being a student-athlete at Akron aided in your personal development?
I believe that being a student-athlete at Akron created opportunities for me to engage in conversations with all types of individuals from all backgrounds. Those conversations have aided in my social growth and educated me in topics that I was completely ignorant of.Â
What is your view on the difference between playing and competing?
Personally, the difference is the mental reaction to the outcomes of the game/sport. When playing, the main goal is having fun. When competing the main goal is winning; however, these goals are not mutually exclusive. Win, lose, or draw, I've always loved doing something in a competitive environment.
