The MATC Times has taken their talents to the basketball court. We’re making a couple of layups and a few free throws with Assistant Athletic Director and Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Travis Mrozek. We wanted to know about the offseason, recruitment and signing a transfer student.
Mrozek’s Role in Athletics
Coach Mrozek has been an assistant athletic director for about three years, but he’s been with MATC for almost 17 years. He was a Student Life Coordinator at the Oak Creek Campus and an athletic specialist before that.
As the assistant athletic director, what are some of the things you do to help Athletic Director Randy Casey? “We work well together between strengths and weaknesses,” said Mrozek. “I’m better with technology such as social media platforms, working with our media partners and with community outreach. While Randy, on the other hand, is very knowledgeable about student-athlete eligibility and a lot of MATC internal systems for students.”
Coach Mrozek was also part of the Men’s Basketball 2023 NJCAA championship team. When it comes to winning a championship, there are doubts, frustration, and stress trying to figure out the perfect game plan to win a game. We asked, what struggles he and Coach Casey faced during the championship? “We have to get the guys to focus and follow through to the end of the season,“ said Travis. “We have a good group of guys and they are all willing to buy into their role and give up part of their individual self to be part of a team,” he added. “But getting them to believe (it) took some time, and there were bumps in the road.” Mrozek said, “During our playoff run, when we beat Rock Valley College in the semifinals of the region tournament, you could tell that they really started to believe that they could make a run at the title.”
Men’s Basketball Recruitment
Seasons usually start in the second week of November and end in March in college men’s basketball. MATC’s Men’s Basketball season starts the first week of November and ends in March if they make it to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. We asked Coach Mrozek about the recruitment process and what that involves. He said, “For high school student athletes, we usually do not start having conversations with them until their senior year. We stay in contact with the student athletes during their season, and we try to make multiple visits to see them play,” said Travis. “We try to get a feel for how they are as a player and a teammate. Once the season is over, we invite recruits for a campus visit and see if there is a mutual fit.”
After he mentioned that, I wondered about transfer students and what that looks like. Mrozek explained, “If they are a transfer student, the process can be a little different. (It is) required for student athletes to be released from their original program, if they are coming from another junior college.” He said, “The process can take longer because you have to make sure everything is documented before you move forward.” In June, 2024, the Stormers Men’s Basketball Team signed transfer student Matthew Hoarde (a guard). I wanted to know what about Hoarde stood out and made you and Coach Casey want to sign him? “He is long and athletic,” he said. “Our team is built for speed, pace of play, and he has a high motor. He is a great fit for our program and our style of play,” said Mrozek.
Offseason Focus on Physical and Mental health
Once the season is over, the team takes time off to recharge, relax and most importantly focus on their mental health. Outside of basketball, I asked Mrozek what he does during the offseason? Any hobbies? Perhaps traveling? “At this level, coaching is not a job, it is a lifestyle,” said Mrozek. “If I am not doing anything for (the) men’s basketball team, I’m helping support some of our other athletic programs.” He proceeds to mention, “I also have two kids that are active in sports and (that) takes up most of any free time left over. However, if I do manage to break away, I usually try to get somewhere with a beach,” he said.
Mental health is very important for both athletes and coaches. I asked Mrozek if he focuses on his mental health during the offseason and what he does to help maintain it? “ I find it helpful to have a network of people who deal with some of the same challenges that we deal with either as a coach or assistant director,” says Travis. “It gives you an outlet to vent and collaborate solutions.”
Finally, I asked what advice he would give a MATC student that wants to join the Stormers Men’s Basketball Team? “It is very competitive to be a part of our men’s basketball team,” said Travis.” We receive hundreds of emails weekly from athletes looking for an opportunity. Because of how competitive it has become, you have to have something special to get noticed. We look for athletes who are athletic and can run the floor and that are willing to give up some individual goals for team goals first,” he said.
