Coach Speak: Matthew Barlow

PRESENTED BY

We had just finished our fall season when I received the call from Omaha. The offer seemed like a great opportunity, but I was skeptical and asked myself “Am I going to move again?” I was more than ready to settle into the coaching position I was in, but sometimes God’s plans are different from ours.   Due to the time frame of the situation, I only had a week or two to decide and transition, so I quickly scheduled a trip to the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus to check if I would fit the environment. 

I was met by Dani Brooke, Director of Student Athlete Development. She took time out of her day to graciously welcome me to campus and show me around. I walked through Dodge Campus, admiring the academic buildings and facilities and was introduced to other coaches and staff members in Sapp Fieldhouse, who all seemed excited and passionate about their positions in the athletic department. The skepticism was relieved. It was a no-brainer, I accepted the job and moved into an apartment the next week. 

 I have been at UNO a little over a year now and being asked to write this has allowed me to reflect on my coaching role and the experience of living in a great city like Omaha. I thank God for leading me to coach at a place like this, in a city like this. I am grateful to coach at Omaha, and proud to be a part of the Maverick athletic department. It will be hard to describe how special Omaha is in a short letter, but I will try:

The facilities and resources. I am still in awe of our campus design, containing green space, art, historical academic buildings, and updated facilities. To me, the Dodge campus has a true college feel with profound traditional buildings connected by student walked paths. The School of Health and Kinesiology provides an unmatched student wellness center, allowing students to exercise and climb a rock wall if they really feel like it. Campus dining even offers the best breakfast burritos in the Milo Bail Student Center. The amenities are unlimited. Then, I travel through the beautiful golf course/Elmwood Park to arrive at Scott Campus where there is updated architectural academical buildings and elegant living spaces for students. The Scott Campus is surrounded by a unique urban feel with the Aksarben District providing great entertainment and dining choices. Students are also within walking distance to catch Maverick Athletics at the magnificent Baxter Arena. From someone who has never watched a hockey game before moving to Nebraska, I highly recommend attending a UNO hockey game at Baxter.

More important than resources, the people.  Outside of campus, you will consistently find midwestern friendliness. You all know what I am talking about. Strangers are holding doors and saying hello. Trust me, you cannot find that everywhere.  It is also easy to get connected. My involvement in a local church has blessed me with groups and relationships and given our program opportunities to serve and meet new people. The large tennis community in Omaha is tight-knit and supportive of all tennis, including our program. Tennis alumni, coaches, and players around town are all on board to help each other out and grow the game of tennis, which is special is a city of this size. On campus, no different. Our university offers endless amounts of groups and activities that serve the student body, allowing for relationships to be built and provide great out of class experiences for each student. Same goes for our Maverick athletic department. Sometimes being a new and young coach can be intimidating, but not at UNO. I was immediately welcomed and respected by coaches and staff members. They have patiently answered endless amounts of emails and questions from me since I have been here and supported my learning and growth as their colleague. I also have consistently witnessed passion, care, and professionalism within the individual athletic programs here at Omaha that reflect the servant leadership attitudes of their coaches and the leadership over our entire department.  The people truly make this place special.

I have found that my recruiting pitch gets easier and easier here at Omaha. The city’s and campus’ resources are great, and the people facilitating them are even greater. I am grateful to be a part of a University and department like this, and I often find myself saying to my players, “It’s a great day to be a Mav”.