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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Matela Gives Back To Falcon Basketball Program
May 22, 2006 | Men's Basketball
May 22, 2006
Bowling Green, Ohio - Former Bowling Green State University men's basketball standout Len Matela remembers his four summers as a Falcon well. It was a time to get ahead of the game in the classroom and a time to outwork your opponent on the basketball floor and improve as a player. Summer also was a time to build unity and bond with your teammates as you looked to compete for the MAC Championship the next season.
Matela and fellow classmates Keith McLeod, Brent Klassen, Brandon Pardon, and Kris Gerken were the core of a group which posted the best four-year record (79-40) since 1950. A big reason for that success, Matela believes, was the summer school scholarship program which allowed them to flourish as students, athletes, and people. Because of that, Matela has pledged a gift this summer to the program.
"I know that I benefited from this and I want to help others do the same," said Matela. "It set me up academically to be successful, but it also allowed me to work on my game year round. Without that I would have never been able to attain my two biggest goals which were to earn a degree and play basketball professionally."
"One of the great things about this is that the gift comes from a former player," said BGSU Coach Dan Dakich. "We are fortunate to have so many wonderful friends of our program that I want them to know how much someone who was a direct beneficiary of their support appreciates their generosity and will contribute themselves once they have the means to do so."
Matela, who grew up in the same hometown as Dakich (Merrillville, Indiana) and attended the same high school (Andrean) earned a degree in recreation and tourism in 2002. He started 94 games at BGSU and is the ninth all-time leading scorer at BGSU with 1,527 points. A three-time All-MAC performer, he shot 58.0% from the field.
"Coming to Bowling Green was the best decision I made," added Matela. "Coach Dakich not only prepares you to be a basketball player, but he prepares you for the rest of your life. I liked the fact that he stressed academics and community involvement because it made me become well rounded as a person."
Matela just returned home from Belgium after completing his fourth season of professional basketball. For the last three years, he has played in the Top Division in Belgium for the Antwerp Giants. Last year, he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds. He also played one season in Germany in Weissenfels.
After recovering from a torn ACL early on in his professional career, Matela is hopeful that he can continue to play for another 8 to 10 years overseas.
"As long as I am healthy and having fun, I want to play," added Matela.
Once his playing days are over, perhaps Matela would follow in Dakich's footsteps and look to begin a career in coaching.
"I learned so much from Coach that I think it would be a natural transition for me," said Matela. "I would have to learn a lot of the day-to-day duties and certainly gain experience in recruiting but you could not have a better mentor than Coach Dakich in that regard. I would really enjoy working with the big men and with the experience I have gained overseas, I certainly think I could be an asset."
For now, Matela and his wife Tiffany, a 2001 BGSU graduate in sport management, will take a break from a long season away from home, visit some friends (attending Klassen's upcoming wedding) and be back in Bowling Green later this summer for the men's basketball golf outing which specifically raises funds for the players to attend summer school.
"I think it is a great way to give back and I hope that every player that can, will give back, and support this program," Matela said. "We have all benefited from this and I think this is something we should all get behind and ensure this program continues."
