MATC celebrates 2023 national champions

Coach of the Year Randy Casey leads the Stormers to victory in the NJCAA Tournament.

July 17, 2023

Stormers players rally together during a halftime huddle on their road to the teams first NJCAA National Championship.

This story was originally published on April 21, 2023 in the print edition of the MATC Times.

The MATC Stormers claimed their first-ever National Title with an 86-65 Win over Macomb Community College in the 2023 NJCAA Division II Championship. Ranked 7th overall in the division, the Stormers worked hard to become the highest seed to claim victory in the tournament.

After a long and challenging season, the college celebrated its victory with a marching band and a rally with dozens of fans, families, teachers, elected officials and local favorites. The crowd enjoyed remarks from MATC head coach Randy Casey, assistant head coach Travis Mrozek, MATC President Vicky Martin, and Dean Equan Burrows. Local politicians also showed their support with an address from county executive David Crowly and video messages from congresswoman Gwen Moore and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who proclaimed Apr. 5, as MATC Stormers Day in the city of Milwaukee. Even the Milwaukee Bucks showed their support with an appearance from their mascot, Bango.

As the school and community celebrated an outstanding display of sportsmanship, one notable face was missing from the crowd. Mason Johnson, who scored over 1000 points during his MATC career and who was named the tournament MVP, missed the first half of the rally. Where was he? In class! Mason and the rest of his team are not only exceptional athletes but also phenomenal students. The team ended the fall 2022 semester with a combined 3.1 GPA setting an example for all student athletes, and showing the next generation of MATC students that, in the words of Colin Powell, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”

About the Contributor

Christopher D'Allen, Editor-in-Chief

My name is Christopher D'Allen and I am the Editor-in-Chief for the MATC Times, a student run paper dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in scholastic journalism. The MATC Times stands as the voice of our students and a bastion of free speech for the communiy we represent. I joined the staff in my first semester at MATC and obtained my current position at the start of Summer '23. Here I am a photography student and hold a BA in Political Science and Spanish & Latin American Studies with a minor in Democracy and Justice Studies. I have worked an Administrative Assistant, World Language Instructor, a Head Lifeguard and Resident Assistant, but have found that my passion lies in the arts. As a photographer, I challenge myself daily to find a new perspective, capture a fleeting scene and turn moments into memories. As we work to relaunch the MATC Times website and grow our staff, I want to make joining our team as positive a learning experience and beneficial a work experience as possible. I strongly believe in the power of collaboration and inclusivity. As an Editor, I actively encourage diverse perspectives. Each student's unique viewpoint enriches our storytelling and fosters a sense of unity within our community. I aim to bridge the gap between words and images, revealing the untold stories that shape our community.