UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell for a wide-ranging conversation Monday. Matson discussed the effects of the House settlement on her program, the hiring of Steve Newmark athletic director-in-waiting and preparations for the 2025 season.
Read Matson’s comments, which have been lightly edited for clarity, below, or click here to listen!
Brighton McConnell: Welcome back to the studio. How are you?
Erin Matson: I’m good. I’m excited to be back. We’re getting back into the rhythm of fall a little bit before preseason still, but we’re in “UNC field hockey” mode 100 percent now, so it’s good to be chatting about the fall and everything going on, and I can’t wait.
Brighton McConnell: You get to ease into that with the summer camps that you guys put on at Karen Shelton Stadium, which seem to have been very popular again this year. How’s all that been?
Erin Matson: Good. We take a lot of pride in our summer camps and just giving that experience for local families and children, and also people come in from all over the country, so they’re good. We had our first one before July 4, and then our second session is this Thursday actually coming up.
Brighton McConnell: I want to start with a very broad question and broad topic. A lot has happened since July 1. The House settlement means that schools and athletic departments can now directly pay athletes through revenue sharing, and it also expands scholarship allotments for most programs. There’s a ton to dig into on this, but I’ll just start by asking, what are your general thoughts on all of this, Coach? And the ongoing evolution of college sports from being an amateurism model?
Erin Matson: Like you said, there’s a lot to it. There’s lots of layers, whether we’re talking to our current players and families, recruiting, friends talking about it. I do not expect people to know everything that’s going on. But you see the headlines. How it’s impacting revenue-generating sports is different than Olympic sports. Football and basketball are in their own world. So it’s very interesting and it’s honestly a very exciting time, at least for our programs here at Carolina because of how valued we are. And we appreciate that. And I think it’s an interesting balance right now of, Carolina takes such good care of us and of the student-athletes and gives us all of the support and resources, but it’s also hitting that balance of the uncertainty in terms of college athletics in general.
So we’re walking a fine line, but at least from my experience and my colleagues’ experience, we’re just grateful for everything Carolina is doing and how they’re setting us up for success, whether that be the athletic department, the Rams Club, our fanbase, everyone. It’s gonna be interesting to see how it shakes out and what it looks like for field hockey versus men’s basketball and football. But at the end of the day, they are, as a university, continuing to invest in their sports programs, particularly their women’s programs, which we’re grateful for. So it is a very uncertain time, but a very exciting time. And I feel, as the head coach of the field hockey program, that support.
UNC head coach Erin Matson watches her team during the 2024 ACC Tournament, which the Tar Heels won. (Image via UNC Athletic Communications)
Brighton McConnell: You were a player in the shift over to where players could begin making money off of their name, image and likeness. And now to be able to know that players can be paid directly through the athletic department, I’m sure that’s also a unique lens to look through this and be able to see all that. And it sounds like you’re still feeling out how exactly it’s going to play out for your players. Because with revenue sharing, it sounds like a lot will go to football and men’s basketball. But the increased scholarship allotment, that’s probably affected you guys.
Erin Matson: Yeah. It was unique when NIL was passed, obviously with my lens of that because I did that and now leading a program where student-athletes were allowed to do that. It’s similar here. It’s the same kind of concept of, “How do we allow the athletes to capitalize off of their name, image, and likeness?” And while it’s maybe not under the NIL umbrella anymore and it’s more revenue sharing, I think the NCAA, the CSC [College Sports Commission], everyone’s just trying to figure out what the most sustainable option is for that and fair for all of the student-athletes, and also the university. It’s just interesting seeing all of the different avenues. For us, the revenue sharing, we’re not getting the bulk of the $20 million, but that doesn’t res reflect the needs of our sport, if that makes sense.
The scholarship increases and the university investing in our program through that way is huge. It changes the game for Olympic sports and non-revenue generating sports. Football and basketball, they need that revenue to be shared. So it’s unique. It’s interesting. It’s definitely gonna take some time to see how it plays out. And there will be plenty of tweaks over the years to come, but at the end of the day, we are receiving the support that we need as a program to take our program to the next level, which is crazy and exciting. A year ago, this wasn’t even possible and we were still receiving so much support. And now there’s even more of that. In terms of a field hockey program in America, Carolina continues to show that field hockey matters here. It’s appreciated, it’s valued. Our fans are amazing, filling the stadium and everything. You come here as a field hockey player to get that experience you can’t find anywhere else. And Carolina is helping us do that and provide that.
Brighton McConnell: I think a lot of folks understand that there is less anxiety around Tar Heel athletics because of these changes and because of those investments. What have you been hearing from field hockey circles nationally regarding the collegiate level of the sport? Because with these big monetary changes, some schools and programs have alluded to, “We don’t really know what our future looks like because of the spending.” What have you been hearing from your peers?
Erin Matson: That’s the balance I was talking about. Field hockey, lacrosse, the non-revenue generating sports, the Olympic sports, are the majority of the student-athletes in America. Football and basketball, they bring in the revenue, but the majority of NCAA student-athletes are Olympic sport athletes or non-revenue generating sport athletes. And I think that’s where it’s hard to be a head coach right now. We’re receiving all of the backing and it’s like, “Great, we can run with this. Let’s go.” But in terms of our sport nationally, it is scary. In terms of lacrosse nationally, it is scary. Even soccer. All of the sports that aren’t bringing the revenue in, and if their university isn’t showing them the same amount of support, it’s totally uncertain.
For college athletics, what, in five years, is it really going to look like? What is that landscape gonna look like? It’s just the reality of the situation. So for us, I’m extremely grateful. I’m extremely excited. We can continue raising the bar. But I also am extremely passionate about our sport in general. You have to look through that lens as well and lead with that lens, too.
Brighton McConnell: And a big reason why there is that investment in Carolina is because of athletic director Bubba Cunningham and him sharing his priorities. And of course, this summer, in addition to the House settlement, we heard the news that he is going to be transitioning to a new role for Carolina Athletics and the university starting next summer. What was your reaction to that out announcement, since I know he has played a big part in terms of your time here at Carolina?
Erin Matson: I wasn’t expecting it. It was one of those classic, “Head coaches, be on the Zoom call, and here’s the news.” I’m really excited for him. I’m excited for the athletic department at Carolina in general. I’m excited for Chancellor Roberts to have him in an even more direct role to help with building this landscape that will be sustainable. It was news because he’s played such a big role in my story, and whether that was me as a player or a coach, he was very present. We had a great relationship when I was still on the field. And we got to build on that now as a coach.
Obviously, he’s one of the huge reasons why I’m sitting here today with “head coach” in front of my name. It’s just gonna be another thing to navigate and work together in. But he seems really excited about it. We as a department are really excited about it. I think it’s gonna be great to have both sides with him in this advisory role. He’s been in college athletics for so long. Not even just been in it, but succeeded really well in his role for so long and helped our university succeed. Coupled with Steve [Newmark] coming in now with the revenue background and the business side of things. College athletics is shifting more toward that way. So having both of these guys who are brilliant in what they do working together and for Carolina, it’s another amazing decision that the university made. And Chancellor Roberts has been nothing but supportive and very present as well. He’s amazing. So I’m thrilled about it. I’m really excited. I’m actually speaking with Steve soon.
The reviews are amazing. I haven’t spoken to the guy, but I’ve heard from so many people that I trust and lean on. He’s a Carolina guy through and through. He knows what he’s doing. His resume backs it. I’ve heard from multiple sources that he cares about this university. And anyone in that role, you want that. To know that it’s that genuine passion that us Tar Heels relate to, it’s always comforting. I’m speaking with him later today, which I’m really excited about. He seems great. I’m pumped. Bubba seems excited. Coaches seem excited. It is a lot of change going on at once, but it’s really good. I guess more so evolution than change, if anything.
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham will transition into a new administrative role with the school in the summer of 2026. His successor as athletic director, Steve Newmark, will work with Cunningham in 2025. (Image via Associated Press/Chris Seward)
Brighton McConnell: Let’s turn to the fall and look ahead. Your 2024 team had a fantastic season and made it to the Final Four last year, your second year in charge as head coach. But on the heels of a storybook first season where you win a national championship, I’m sure that’s a little tough to stomach not getting back to the title game. How have you been processing that loss during this offseason, compared to how you felt at the end of last year when you win the title as the head coach?
Erin Matson: We just didn’t play our game. And St. Joe’s showed up and played their game and props to them. They were the better team that day, and that’s what it comes down to. And as the final buzzer went off, one of the seniors who’s also one of my best friends pulled me in and I was emotional, but obviously you’ve gotta keep it together as a coach. She pulls me in, she goes, “Well, Er, can’t win ’em all.” And I was like, “You know what, Ciana? That is exactly what I needed to hear.”
And even though we are wired to have this ambitious, crazy, totally unrealistic mindset of, “We are going to win them all,” which will never change, you just can’t. So that’s what I’ve hung my hat on. We felt really confident in the development of the team, the development of the players, the way the staff worked together, our parents, our fans behind us. It was an amazing season. And I grew a lot in terms of my coaching journey. Winning has a lot of different definitions. I’m not wired to like accept it, and I love that side of me. But at the same time, to put the realistic lenses on, there were so many positives to last season. I’m mainly excited, and the staff and everyone is really excited, to use the semifinal loss as motivation, but mainly build on all of the positives and the wins of last season too.
Despite entering as the No. 1 overall seed with an undefeated record, UNC lost to Saint Joseph’s in the NCAA semifinals last season. (Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati)
Brighton McConnell: You have a couple of key departures, but a big chunk of the core should be coming back. And I have to imagine they will be pretty motivated. What have you heard from them about using the end of last season to try and fuel this? Because I think, we can see that and we try and look for those storylines. I know it’s very different in the locker room, because each team and each group is different. But some people really like to use that as motivation and say, “Okay, even though folks might be coming in, or were injured and are coming back and hitting the field, you might not have been here for this, but we’re gonna collectively use this as fuel. What have you been hearing from folks?
Erin Matson: We graduated 12, which is literally half of the team. Because we had the true seniors who were graduating and then we had every COVID fifth year. Who wouldn’t want to take their fifth year here? So they all came back. So we basically lost two classes in one. And we have a large incoming freshman class of eight, plus three transfers. We filled in the spots that we lost, but it was a large chunk of the two-time national champion experience veterans. We have Sietske [Brüning] back, we have Ryleigh [Heck], we have Sanne [Hak], there’s enough of the core there to carry it on. Even though we lost a large number and lost the experience and have a large number coming in who are young, the guys who are returning totally are leaning into it as motivation. They were like, “That is not what we want to feel ever again.” They did everything right all season long, and to do that and fall short knowing that you were so close, it hurts even more.
So they’re totally leaning into that. And then the incomings we’re bringing in, whether they’re freshmen or the transfers, they are so hungry. We as a staff are so excited because they are hungry, passionate, they’re obsessed with Carolina already. They just want it. It’s just a fun, really energizing and refreshing group coming in, whether it’s the returners who are like, “Alright, we’re buying into this feeling,” or the incomings who don’t know what it feels like to be that close and lose, but they have experienced being a commit or a recruit watching these guys celebrate and win and make history who want to be a part of it. Whatever the reason to lean in is, it’s definitely all there. And I think the preseason will be really fun to see how they thrive off of it.
Former national player of the year Ryleigh Heck is one of UNC’s key returners for the 2025 season. (Image via UNC Athletic Communications)
Brighton McConnell: This is a bit of an unfair question for a coach, because I know that you’re excited to see everybody out there on the field, since you were the one to get them under the tent. But who are you really excited to see this year? Sure. And among the players who are coming in, who do you think could break out and become a star and get known on the national level? Or somebody who’s primed to take a leap with those departures, step up this year or level up their game even further?
Erin Matson: It’s definitely an unfair question, but I’ll forgive you. Because I could talk about every single person on our roster. Going through the lines, the goalkeeper position, we graduated our goalkeeper. So we have an incoming freshman who’s the best goalkeeper in her class, which is really exciting. And then we have a transfer who will be a fifth-year senior. It’ll be fun to see them battle it out. And I know the freshman’s really excited to learn from the fifth-year and the fifth-year’s really excited to mentor. It’ll be a really exciting dynamic and we’ll see what happens there. But they’re both amazing players.
In the backfield, I would say Grace Pottebaum. She has flown under the radar and been a back-alley fighter in a way. She’s grown so much since being here as a freshman. We’ve leaned on her in past seasons, but this year she’s going to be the veteran in the backfield and I think she’s gonna do really well. I’m excited to see her play.
We love our sister duos after the Riccardo sisters. Ryleigh Heck will be a senior, which is crazy to think about. Honda Sport Award finalist, National Player of the Year, she’s outstanding. We have her sister coming in as a fifth-year, too. So we’ll have the Heck sisters as a duo, which will be really fun to watch. Kara was at Boston College for undergrad and then at Rutgers, and she’s coming to us to play her last year and Ryleigh’s last year as a sister duo, so that’ll be great.
Sietske just runs the midfield, backfield, anywhere on the field. She is insane . And she’s gonna give it her all, too, with it being her last year. Same with Sanne in the midfield. She’ll bring the spark that she always does. She’s gonna want to leave it all out there. And then we have a transfer from UVA, Dani Mendez, who came in in January with us. One year remaining of eligibility. I am so excited for you guys to watch her because I am like, “Dani, I wish I had you for four years. What were doing?”
And then of course we have freshmen coming in who are going to make an impact right away, which is just really exciting. The goalkeeper, Reese Anetsberger, she came in in January from the Chicagoland area. Jenna Narleski is in the U.S. pipeline, so she’s gonna be extremely present for us. We have a couple local girls. It’s just really exciting. And I’m probably missing a whole handful that I could continue rambling on about because I am so excited and I love them and like I said, they really want it. They’ve been working hard all summer.
Brighton McConnell: Well, the good news is we’re gonna have an entire season to get to know them and follow their storylines and fall in love with their play. One last question for you, Erin. You had mentioned using this past season to learn more about head coaching. Coming into your third year here, what is something that you feel like you have learned so far that you weren’t necessarily expecting when you first took the job a couple of years ago?
Erin Matson: I’ll give you two answers. The first one: I’m so used to working and pushing myself to the limits, but doing so in a sense where my cup isn’t filled because I want to fill everybody else’s cup. I’ve just really focused on fueling properly and getting enough sleep and going on walks during the day, to close the laptop for an hour-long lunch break and go reset and recharge myself so that I can show up 100 percent for everybody else. And for whatever reason in my mind for the longest time, that correlated with not working hard enough. Now, finally, I understand a little bit better the balance of making sure that I can show up 100 percent. I feel even more energized and excited heading into another season when I thought I already was at my max. I love what I do and I want to make sure that I can do it to the best of my ability. And I was underestimating that side of the equation.
And then, my staff is so remarkable, and we are in such a good place right now in terms of how we work together, knowing what the program needs, me understanding their strengths and how all of my assistants and performance analysts and director of operations, how everybody works together, but also us connecting as a staff. I saw something on Instagram a few weeks ago that said, “You spend more time with your coworkers than you do your parents and your family at this stage in life.” And it’s so true. We are around each other so much, but we are at a place where we really enjoy it, and that makes us want to work harder, too. And I say it all the time: I believe in my heart that I have the most passionate and dedicated, hardworking staff in the country when it comes to field hockey, who just love the university, love our student-athletes, and put the time in. And I am so grateful for that. But it’s taken work from all of us and I’m really proud of that. And we’re organized for the fall. We’re ready. We just can’t wait to welcome everyone back and get back to it, into the rhythm that the season brings
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