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Bethel Hall of Famer and Former Huntingdon Coach Succombs to Cancer

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By Dave McCulley, Bethel SID and Jim Potts

MCKENZIE (Dec 9) There are times we are reminded it is not really important who won or lost the game or who scored the most points. Today is one of those days for the Bethel University family and the Matt English family as they mourn the loss of Matt who was one of the great basketball players ever at Bethel College/University. Matt died Monday morning at the age of 45 after a courageous fight against cancer.

He graduated from Bethel in 1996 and was inducted into the Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. English remains Bethel's all-time career leader in points with 2, 530. He had the most career field goals in Wildcat history with 944. He is the leader in career rebounds with 1, 531. As a matter of fact his name is in almost every category in the Bethel record book.

As great as he was on the basketball court he was and is known as even a greater person. His legacy is greater than just records. Ask any Bethel supporter or follower through the years and his name always is one of the first if not the first spoken.

The Bethel University men's basketball team is honoring former Matt by wearing a No. 41 patch on their uniform this season.

After his Bethel career he coached boys’ basketball and was a girls’ softball assistant at Huntingdon High School during the 96-97 and 97-98 school years. The girls’ softball team won the district, region and finished 3rd in the state 97-98 while he was an assistant. He left Huntingdon and returned to his home in Indiana.

Huntingdon High School Principal and current Mustang Basketball coach Jonathan Kee played for English as a freshman and sophomore. Kee has fond memories of English and credits his coaching with him being able to play at the college level. He remembers English being a tough individual and being very detailed in his coaching. “I received a handwritten letter from Coach English after he left following my sophomore year. The letter encouraged me to stay with it and keep working hard on the court,” said Kee. “I had contact with English as recently as a year ago.”

English returned to Indiana and spent the remainder of his years coaching basketball in his home state. He joined the Beech Grove City Schools in 2008, when he started his career as a Hornet and as a classroom teacher at Beech Grove High School. In 2012, he was named the high school’s athletic director. In September, the Beech Grove City School Board voted to name the high school basketball court in Matt’s honor.

Matt’s “We Before Me” mantra resonated in everything he did – as a coach, teacher, mentor, husband, father, son, colleague, and friend. He bravely stood tall throughout his illness and showed up for his “boys” and other Beech Grove High School students and staff by always offering kind and encouraging words. Matt’s life demonstrated his commitment, love, dedication, and strength to everyone in which he came in contact.

Former Bethel Coach Mike Nienaber expressed his thoughts and emotions about Matt and his legacy. “Matt was a warrior. His numbers speak for themselves and you must remember his game was inside and I am not sure he ever even attempted a three-point shot. When he arrived at Bethel he played behind some great players and there was doubt among some if Matt could ever fill the void left when those people left. He did that and more against great competition like Belmont, CBU, Union, Lipscomb and other great programs. He was the focus of every scouting report and still night in and night out got the job done, He was so respected as a player and person. The night he broke the scoring record at CBU Coach Charlie Leonard stopped the game and they honored him.”

Nienaber added, “Because Matt became a member of the coaching fraternity. I was able to stay in touch with him at summer coaching clinics, AAU events and several Final Fours. I am so thankful for those times we witnessed games, talked basketball and shared our views about life. Recently we were together and he surprised me how strong he was and I cherish that time with him. As a matter of fact when we attempted the leave the gym that day at an AAU event he was stopped by fellow coaches, players and referees who wished him well and told him how he had affected their lives and others. He loved his days at Bethel and we were all blessed to know him as a person and a fellow Wildcat.”

Funeral arrangements are pending. Please remember the English family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Matt’s “We Before Me” mantra resonated in everything he did – as a coach, teacher, mentor, husband, father, son, colleague, and friend. He bravely stood tall throughout his illness and showed up for his “boys” and other Beech Grove High School students and staff by always offering kind and encouraging words. Matt’s life demonstrated his commitment, love, dedication, and strength to everyone in which he came in contact.

We will miss Matt English in every way at Beech Grove City Schools. We offer our deepest condolences to his wife, Angela, who serves as treasurer at Hornet Park Elementary School, and their daughter, Addison, and his other family members.

Funeral arrangements are pending. We will announce them on our district Facebook page when finalized.

Please remember the English family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.

Grief support and counseling will be available at the high school today for our students and staff.

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure…you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.”

If you would like to send a card and message of love and support to the family, please mail to the following address.

Angela English & Family

3771 Lakewood Dr.

Greenfield, IN 46140

 

matt english, bethel university, bethel hall of fame