Bio
Position: F-G
Born: 05/31/76
Height: 6-8 / 2.01 m.
Weight: 228 lbs. / 10.8 kg.
College: Georgia Tech '98
Full name is Matthew Joseph Harpring
Comes from a long line of college football players: his grandfather Norb played for the Army (during WW II), his father Jack played at Michigan, his uncle Chip played at Notre Dame, while brothers John and Brian played at Akron and Northwestern, respectively
Was a three-time selection to the GTE Academic All-District III team (1996-98)
Earned a degree in Business Management from Georgia Tech
Awarded Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship by the ACC, one of only 16 ACC athletes to receive the honor
Favorite offseason activities: golf and tennis
Favorite athlete in another sport: John McEnroe
Best advice: his father told him, "Don't ever give up"
Favorite college memories: having his jersey retired at Georgia Tech and receiving a standing ovation at the ACC Tournament during his senior year
Background and interests
Understandably, I've gotten lots of email questions about my background and interests. Here are some of the photos of people and places who have helped me along the way to Utah.
Here's my senior year basketball team at Marist High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
That's Coach Bell in the middle, and from left to right, Brad Buckler, me, Andre Jasquith, Edo Geromel, Andres Montana, and Matt Spangler. We had all the right ingredients! And, we won the State Tournament to cap off a terrific year. I got to see Coach Bell, along with many other people from Marist, after our Oct. 31 game in Atlanta.
I just had to get a football picture in here!
I played quarterback, and, as you'd guess, I liked to run as much as pass!
Below is an "honor" display at Georgia Tech, showing the All Americas who have played and graduated from Tech. My jersey and photo are in the lower right.
I'm much indebted to Coach Bobby Cremins, who encouraged excellence on the court and in the classroom. I'm proud to have received both "regular" and academic All America honors, and to have received my degree with "honors" from Tech. I am second all-time in scoring at Tech, missing the top spot, by eight points.