After more than a decade at Mercy University and a career spanning over 40 years in collegiate athletics, Assistant Vice President of Athletics Matt Kilcullen is preparing for retirement. During his time at Mercy, he helped guide the Mavericks through one of the most successful stretches in department history, including conference championships, national tournament appearances and record-setting academic achievement across Mercy Athletics.
Q&A
What drew you to the field you work in and what led you to work in higher education?
Having played college basketball and being very competitive led to a career as a college basketball coach. I absolutely love being around athletics and young people. It helps me keep in shape! More importantly, the experiences I have had over the past 48 years can help with guidance, advice and support for our coaches and student athletes.
What does working at Mercy mean to you?
It has given me a chance to get to know a lot of people on a first-name basis and that is so helpful when you need to get things done.
What’s the most rewarding or most challenging part of your role that most people don’t realize?
Making sure that I always kept a positive attitude no matter the situation, which, when you lost a tough game, was tough to do.
What accomplishment are you most proud of in your professional career?
The academic success. We placed a priority on earning a degree and not just winning games. There is nothing better than to develop a young person as a student athlete and watch them walk across the stage and receive their diploma.
What upcoming projects, research or initiatives are you excited about?
The facilities that are being planned like the recreational fieldhouse and the Rick Wolff Player Development Center.
Share a favorite Mercy University memory.
Men’s lacrosse winning in double overtime against Le Moyne at Purchase College in 2022 to go to the national championship game. Ashley Price, women’s soccer goalie, raises her hands in jubilation after making the last save in penalty kicks to allow us to go to the Final Four in 2017.
What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a freshman student about beginning their first day at Mercy University?
Do not be afraid to ask questions to get answers.
Do you have any hidden talents your colleagues at Mercy might be surprised to learn about?
I love karaoke.
If you were to pursue a different career path outside of education, which field could you see yourself working in and why?
Event planner.
If your life was a movie, what would the opening credits song be?
"Taking Care of Business" by Bachman Turner Overdrive.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation whatsoever?
How to handle failure.
Looking ahead, what are you most looking forward to and why?
Playing golf and having my toes in sand on the beach. Any beach.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your department?
How we work together as a team.
What’s one helpful tip from your area of expertise that you’d offer to fellow members of the Mercy community?
Communication is the key to our success in athletics. We have a sense of urgency to respond as quickly as possible when we receive emails and phone call messages.
Do you have a fun fact or little-known insight about your office or department?
I get up at 6 A.M. every morning, have a cup of coffee, do my devotional readings, check for texts and emails, then head into the office, talk to coaches that are already there and get a workout in so I can be ready to go between 8:30-9 A.M.
