Meet Matt Hogan: Five Questions with Youth Inc.'s Boys' Lacrosse Ambassador

Matt Hogan, former head lacrosse coach at the University of Pennsylvania, is Youth Inc’s boys’ lacrosse ambassador. Hogan is also the founder of HoganLax, a program that provides developmental opportunities for lacrosse players and coaches through tournaments, club teams, and team training.

We asked him five questions about the memories, mentors and mindsets that have shaped his journey.

1. What is your favorite youth sports memory?

As a player, my favorite youth sports memory comes from junior high wrestling. We would wrestle each team twice per season. In the first match, I was winning but ended up getting pinned by my opponent, someone I also played football with. During our rematch, I stayed in control and won. At that age, maintaining control in a competitive setting was new for me. After the match, the coach of one of the high schools approached me and told me I wrestled a "very mature" match. I remember running home to tell my dad, who would not have used "mature" to describe me. 

As a parent, my favorite memory is watching my children play hard, compete and be good teammates. One moment that stands out was during the last game of my son’s middle school basketball season. One teammate hadn’t scored all year. In a team huddle, the coach said "We need to get Liam a basket."  My son spent the rest of the game running all over the court setting screens (mostly moving) to try to get Liam a basket. I suspect the officials knew what was happening, as they didn’t call any fouls.

2. Who has been the most influential person or coach in your life?

My parents are the most influential people in my life. They were fair, disciplined and all about honoring commitments. One lesson that stands out was my dad telling me in elementary school, “You will forever have to do your homework. If you want to be successful you have to do your homework.” That advice stuck. Throughout high school, college, and as an adult, I continue to live by it. Whether it's preparing for a negotiation, planning a practice, or running a tournament, I am always “doing my homework.” I believe that people who do their homework are always prepared, and therefore see solutions where others see obstacles. When you consistently see solutions instead of obstacles, you become both sought after and happier than those who don’t.

3. What's one lesson you've learned through your sport that has shaped your life?

An important lesson I learned through sports was commitment. In second grade, I wanted to quit the winter swim team. My mom told me, “You do not have to swim next year. However, you made a commitment to this year, you will honor that commitment and finish. If you do not wish to swim after that I am fine with that." To this day, I believe that if you start something, you should finish it. If you are a part of something, be involved, committed and all in.

4. What advice would you give your 10-year old self?

I would tell my 10-year-old self to think, process and evaluate before reacting. As a kid, I often responded emotionally and instantly, without taking time to reflect. While I still value emotion and passion, I've learned that it’s just as important to slow down, listen, and assess before responding. I'd also offer a simple reminder: “Listen more than talk."

5. What is a motto or belief that you live by?

I live by the motto that you should treat others as you wish to be treated.

More from Matt Hogan:

Matt Hogan sat down with former Ohio State lacrosse player Mitchell Pehlke to discuss the challenges parents face in the college recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of allowing athletes to make their own decisions and the role of parents in supporting rather than controlling the process. Watch their conversation here.

Check out Matt Hogan's website and company, HoganLax. HoganLax provides developmental opportunities for lacrosse players and coaches through hosting and organizing tournaments, club teams, and team training.

Hogan uses his platform to provide lacrosse tips and coach young athletes on the game:

Hogan is very active in the world of lacrosse, appearing on podcasts like New England Lacrosse Journal

For more from Matt Hogan, follow him on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.