Inspiration
Matt Ganyard had aspirations of kicking for the University of Virginia football team. In 2009, the ex-soccer player went 9-for-9 in his tryout, but was ultimately cut. The
rejection email became of a source of motivation. Ganyard went on to graduate from UVA and join the Marines, becoming a Cobra helicopter pilot. At every stop during his deployments, Ganyard would get out the footballs and practice his kicking. After a 10 year career, he left the Marines and enrolled in UVA's Darden School of Business MBA program. Now 34 and the father of two, he still harbored hopes of kicking for the football team.
He earned a spot on the squad and was granted eligibility by the NCAA, thanks to a unique loophole in the rules.
Ganyard's persistence, drive, and discipline are outstanding, yet unsurprising for a Marine. His ability to balance school, football, and family is truly exemplary. Sprinkle in the sense of humor needed to laugh at being called "Pop Pop" and "Uncle Matt" by his teammates, and you have a winning combination. At the end of this journey, he plans to tell his kids “. . . that you can chase your wildest dreams. And maybe, you can thread the needle and make something happen.” Through the first two games of the season, he has six touch-backs in 10 kickoffs.