Male Athlete of the Week

Name: Matt Kocher Sport: Wrestling Year: Senior Major: History… Name: Matt Kocher Sport: Wrestling Year: Senior Major: History and communication Favorite Oakland spot: Fuel and Fuddle Favorite food: Pizza Favorite sport besides wrestling: Whitewater kayaking

Matt Kocher grew up as a small-town boy in State College, Pa., who loved professional wrestling.

When he was young, he would watch the theatrical performances on television, punch after choreographed punch, and thought it seemed fun.

“I thought beating people up sounded cool,” Kocher said.

So at the nimble age of 6, Kocher boldly picked up the real sport of wrestling.

“[My mom] was worried because I was so young,” Kocher said.

But once his parents got over their apprehension, they became their son’s personal taxi service, driving their son all over the state from tournament to tournament, sometimes more than once a weekend.

Like most other kids, Kocher also played more popular sports like baseball and soccer.

They weren’t the same.

“To me, those were kind of just games,” Kocher said. “Wrestling wasn’t a game to me. It was a sport.”

For as good as Kocher became, though, he was always unsure he could ever wrestle in the college ranks. But when hometown Penn State and nearby Pitt came knocking on his door, he knew he could take it to the next level.

Then came another bold decision. Kocher decided he would leave his rural, small-town bubble and venture to a big city to continue his career.

“I was just a lot more excited about coming to a city than staying at home,” said Kocher, who was eager to live in a place with a downtown larger than five blocks.

Once Kocher got to Pitt, he didn’t quit venturing. He routinely explores Pittsburgh past the Oakland boundaries to experience a kind of culture he never had at home.

“There’s just a lot more going on,” Kocher said.

He also said he loves living in a city where major sports franchises are the norm and where he can watch his beloved Pirates.

An All-American in his junior year, Kocher has grown a lot as an athlete and as a person since coming to Pitt.

“Coming here, I definitely grew up a lot,” said Kocher, who is only a few months from graduating.

And although he’s experienced a successful athletic career and enjoyed his time as a student, it seems safe to say that he won’t be too upset to move on.

For Kocher, graduation is another opportunity to try something different.