BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Three years after signing to play college basketball, former Martin County Cardinal Matt Linville has learned that succeeding at the next level requires more than talent. It takes patience, persistence and a willingness to find a new role.
Linville signed with West Virginia University Institute of Technology on May 26, 2023, following his senior season at Martin County High School. The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 5.8 points per game that year and helped the Cardinals capture the 15th Region tournament championship and the 15th Region All “A” championship.
Since arriving at WVU Tech, Linville said his growth has extended well beyond the basketball court.
“I’ve definitely grown as both a person and a player,” Linville said. “I’ve strengthened my relationship with God, matured and learned a lot about preparing myself for what’s ahead. I’ve built long-lasting relationships with others. As far as on the court, I’ve seen myself go in ready to get better every day as a teammate and as an individual player.”
The transition from high school standout to college basketball player did not happen overnight.
Linville used his first season at WVU Tech as a redshirt year to give himself an opportunity to develop within the program.
“It took a little bit to adjust to the college pace, so I chose to use my first year as a redshirt year to improve my skills while getting to learn my coaches and team better,” Linville said. “Now I’m at a place where I know my role on and off the bench.”
That adjustment gave Linville a firsthand look at one of the biggest differences between high school and college athletics.
At Martin County, Linville was part of a championship-caliber team. At the next level, nearly every player arrived with a similar résumé and the ability to compete for playing time.
“A lot of people don’t realize just how insane the difference in pace and skill is from high school to college,” Linville said. “If you make it to play college ball, you are often the best or one of the best on your high school team. College teams are full of people exactly like you, and sometimes even better. It goes from being pretty easy to earning a spot and having to fight for every minute you get.”
The workload also extends far beyond practices and games.
Linville said his days during basketball season are built around balancing academics, workouts, practices, individual development and preparation for opponents.
“As a student-athlete, the student part always comes first, but that doesn’t mean I get to slack athletics-wise,” Linville said. “My coaches expect me to do my best in the class and on the court.”
A typical day can begin with a morning workout before classes. Players then return for practice or training before finishing the evening with homework and recovery.
“Sometimes if it fits the schedule, we’ll have an individual workout between class and practice,” Linville said. “Pre-game practices are us watching film on the team we will be facing and then heading to the gym to go over all their plays and make sure we are mentally and physically prepared for the game.”
His college experience has also shaped his future beyond basketball.
Linville originally entered WVU Tech pursuing biology but changed direction after exploring different academic paths. He is now studying civil engineering.
“I actually switched after trying out a couple other majors,” Linville said. “I’m hoping to go into the construction side of civil once I’ve graduated, but there are so many options with that degree that I’m not sure just what I’ll end up doing.”
While his college career has required plenty of work behind the scenes, Linville’s proudest achievement at WVU Tech has come from the impact he has made throughout campus.
“My proudest moment at Tech has probably been being called ‘The CEO of Tech’ by my coaches because of how involved I am with the school and sports,” Linville said.