It’s coming up on two years since longtime Wheaton men’s soccer coach Matt Cushing (Duxbury, Mass.) passed away, though his impact on the New England soccer community remains profound.
In Cushing’s memory and in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Foundation, the Matt Cushing Fund has been created to honor his memory. The endowment is designed to provide future generations of soccer coaches with professional development opportunities via the United Soccer Coaches.
The initial goal is to raise $25,000, allowing for an annual $1,000 grant to be given to a deserving high school, club, or college coach currently working in New England. The fund would help coaches continue to become true students of the game – just like Cushing was.
Donations can be made via this link, by calling the the United Soccer Coaches 816-471-1941, or by check (please note Matt Cushing Fund in the memo area). The address for checks is below:
United Soccer Coaches Foundation
Attn: Amanda Mitchell
30 W. Pershing Rd., Suite 350
Kansas City, MO 64108
On the field, Cushing became the 43rd men’s coach in Division 3 history to reach the 300-win milestone. Under his guidance, the Lyons made eight NCAA tournaments, peaking with a national semifinal appearance in 2003 and a national quarterfinal run in 2001.
He was named New England Coach of the Year in 2001, helping Wheaton win eight NEWMAC titles along the way. Cushing also coached eight players who were named NEWMAC Player of the Year and five more who earned NEWMAC Rookie of the Year honors. His all-time record at Wheaton was 328-113-43. He also served as the school’s lacrosse coach from 1995-97.
Cushing graduated from UMass Amherst in 1988, having served as the Minutemen’s captain in ‘86 and ‘87. At Duxbury (Mass.) High School, he was a four-time state champion, plus earned All-America honors.
Upon Cushing’s passing, Wheaton was led by former Brandeis coach and longtime friend Mike Coven (Brookline, Mass.). The story was featured on the November 2017 cover of New England Soccer Journal. In Cushing’s memory, local D3 teams also recently started the Cushing Cup this past spring season.
Wheaton is now coached by Bryan Waggoner, who will enter his second season at the helm in 2019 fresh off a 9-10-1 record.
