Courtesy of John Harrison
Andy Matter was one of the greatest wresters ever to wear a Penn State uniform. He was a two-time National champion at 167 pounds (1971 &1972) and a 3-time EIWA champion. He holds numerous Penn State career records including: best NCAA tournament winning percentage (91.7%, 11-1), best winning percentage (96.7%, 59-2), and best dual-meet winning percentage (100%, 33-0). He was a PIAA state champion in 1968 and runner up in 1967 (he was defeated in the finals by another future Penn State wrestler-Clyde Franz-a two-time PIAA state champion and Andy’s future roommate at PSU).
After he graduated, Andy served as an assistant coach at Penn State and has since become a successful businessman. He has also instilled his aptitude for success in his sons-both have had outstanding wrestling careers at the University of Pennsylvania and have met with equal success off the mat as well.
Andy, what have you been doing since you graduated from Penn State?
I have been working in the information services marketplace since leaving Penn State in 1978. I currently work for Dickens Data-a wholly owned company of Pioneer Electronics. I am the northeast territory manager covering Delaware through Maine. We sell IBM RS/6000 computers, Scalable Processors (SP’s), AS/400’s, and low end mainframe equipment to Fortune 100 companys as well as independent business partners. We also offer all the IBM software and services that are available.
What are your best memories from the years you spent as a Penn State wrestler?
My best memories from those years are the times I spent with my good friends Ira Lubert, Rich Lorenzo, Clyde Frantz and others. The great memories of all the things we did together-both in and outside of wrestling-will stay with me forever.
How has the Penn State wrestling experience impacted your life/career?
Wrestling has had a very positive impact on my life. It has taught me that whatever you strive to do-you can be successful to a point with the right attitude and stamina.
How has collegiate wrestling changed since you were a wrestler at Penn State?
Today’s wrestling is different in that there is more parity. I think the reason for this is because more wrestlers are training year round and there is more coaching techniques available, ie. videos, camps, etc. Also the popularity of freestyle and greco is much more prevalent thus giving more opportunity to all young wrestlers.
Andy, what advice do you have for collegiate wrestlers today?
My advice to college wrestlers today is to study hard and wrestle hard but study hard first!
Andy, what are your sons, Clinton and Brett doing now?
Clinton works for Morgan Stanley in Manhattan. He works on a very successful “high yield” bond desk where he tracks small oil and gas companies mostly in the USA. He has retired from wrestling since graduating from Wharton and Penn with degrees in Finance from Wharton and a degree in Economics at the college (Penn).
Brett is working this summer in San Francisco at Charles Schwab. He is doing some financial modeling of companies for them. He also is working out with Dave Schultz Wrestling Club members that are located around the Stanford area. Brett will be a 4th year student at Wharton with two years of eligibility left. He will graduate from Wharton with a degree in Finance.
Thanks Andy!
