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Football
at Lehigh
Q&A with Jack Traynor and Matthew Shearin
9/19/2018 9:04:00 AM | Football
The following exchange was originally printed in a condensed form in the Georgetown game program for the season opener. The complete discussion is printed here to allow fans to get to know some of the Big Green players a little better.
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DartmouthSports: What made you want to attend Dartmouth?
Matthew Shearin: Growing up, I had never seen snow fall. I understood that there was much more to the world than where I was living, but I never had had the opportunity to experience it. Dartmouth gave me that opportunity. When I met with Coach Teevans, I could feel his upright character and humility fill the room. If it weren't for him, I don't think I would be here.
Jack Traynor: The overall atmosphere "Up in the Woods" is just so special. After meeting so many great people on my visit, I knew I wanted to spend my next four-plus years in Hanover.
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DS: What is one memory from your time with the Big Green that you will never forget?
MS: Winning the 2015 Ivy Championship was a special moment during my time here. Seeing how the seniors bonded and helped rebuild the Dartmouth tradition of winning during their four/five years here helped me understand what it meant and took to win.
JT: The historic comeback victory against Yale immediately comes to mind, but I will never forget the 2016 opening win over nationally ranked New Hampshire. It was my first opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a Dartmouth victory, and the postgame atmosphere was absolutely electric.
Â
DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
MS: I will be an investment banking analyst for J.P. Morgan in New York City.
JT: I hope to pursue a career in finance, and I will be working in New York next summer.
Â
DS: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
MS: In a perfect world, the west coast of Africa. It's always interesting to hear about other people's heritage (Italian, Irish, etc.). But, for a large number of African-Americans, this isn't the case. So, it would be interesting to gain some sense of knowledge regarding my true heritage.
JT: I would never turn down a chance to bask under the sun somewhere in Mexico, but if I could go anywhere, I would be really interested in visiting Japan. I've never been anywhere in Asia, and my father has especially enjoyed his trips there.
Â
DS: Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
MS: My mom and younger sister. Both of them have been through so much in their lives and to continue to persevere and live one day at a time is inspirational in and of itself. Much of what I have done has been for them and continues to be for them.
JT: Undoubtedly my parents. My mom, Darcy, has been there to help me resolve and learn from every single one of my missteps, while my dad, Carl, has taught me to never give up and "play hard" in everything I do. But above all, they have given me unconditional love and support, even when I haven't always reciprocated. I love you guys!
Â
DS: What is your favorite memory of your childhood?
MS: My mom loves law shows (Judge Judy, Cops, America's Most Wanted, Law and Order). I used to sit and watch them with her all the time. That's something I will always cherish.
JT: I'm a huge Michigan fan, and I'll never forget the biggest win I experienced in the Big House, a 27-25 victory over Penn State in 2005. Big Blue won on a last-second touchdown pass, and every one of the 100,000+ Wolverine fans must have cheered at the same time. The place absolutely exploded.
Â
DS: If you could swap places with one teammate, who would it be and why?
MS: David Emanuels '19. He has to be one of, if not, the smartest guy I've met. I'd like to just sit in his mind and watch how he thinks (if that were possible). Dr. Dave is the man.
JT: It would have to be Dave Emanuels. The guy is a genius and great football player, but I am definitely most envious of his endless energy. I would love to be that psyched for every practice.
Â
DS: What does being a member of the Big Green family mean to you?
MS: Sacrifice and advancement. At some point during your stint at Dartmouth, you will have to sacrifice something, whether it be sleep, leisure or getting to see family. Some of us, more than others. But at the end of it all, those sacrifices manifest themselves into a life-long commitment of excellence and personal advancement across all sectors of social, academic, athletic and professional life.
JT: Everything. I am so fortunate to have been able to decide to come here. It's truly the best decision I've ever made. I've learned more than I ever thought I would, made innumerable memories, and found lifelong friends and teammates.
Â
DS: If you could go back to freshman year and give yourself advice, what would it be?
MS: Hindsight is always 20-20. Looking back, I would have told myself to expand my professional network earlier in my college career. I have done a decent job to this point, but if I had understood the importance of a professional network back then as much as I do now, I would have extended myself a bit further in pursuing professional relationships.
JT: Don't be afraid to try anything. You may think that you have completely formed your identity, but you're wrong. You will encounter a ton of different opportunities and influences while here, so don't shut them out.
Â
DS: What do you like most about living in the Upper Valley?
MS: The seclusion of the Upper Valley made me fall in love with the area when I took my first visit here. The Upper Valley and Dartmouth more specifically, is sort of a bubble. Being in this bubble that is seemingly cut off from the outside world has allowed me to bond and create everlasting memories with a select group of guys that I can truly say will be life-long friends. I think friendships like these can only be created in the woods of New Hampshire.
JT: I honestly love its distance from a major city. When I'm in Hanover, I truly feel in the "here" and "now", able to clearly focus on my teammates, friends and studies.
Â
DS: Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
MS: Without a doubt, Kevin Hart. We are both extremely loud, short and funny, with the ability to interact with various groups of people.
JT: I would love Ryan Reynolds to take the role. Hopefully he could adequately portray my constant sarcasm.
Â
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
MS: First and foremost, I'd donate a portion of it to some sort of cause that helps former inmates and homeless individuals with finding jobs, establishing their mental and physical health and finding a home. I'd also like to start a foundation that is aimed toward the advancement of talented students who suffer from financial and social hardships. There are millions of students in the United States that are academically gifted, but do not have the resources and support systems in place for them to succeed. For all of my younger cousins and siblings, I'd establish a trust fund for each of them to cover their college expenses and to give them a financial "leg up" as they begin their lives as independent, working adults. My mom, uncle, older cousins and a few family friends would each receive some sort of retirement account that will be there for them when they decide to retire.Â
JT: I would first attempt to pay back the bill I've racked up with my parents, but after that, I would buy a lake house in Northern Michigan (nothing beats a summer Up North!). Whatever's left is going into the bank.
Â
DS: If you participate in any service activities, what are they and how did you get involved?
JT: I volunteer at the local PADS shelter and Boys and Girls Club back in Chicago, but here in Hanover, I've helped out at the annual CHaD HERO and Prouty events. Both the football team and my fraternity, Gamma Delta Chi, provide great opportunities to help out.
Â
DartmouthSports: What made you want to attend Dartmouth?
Matthew Shearin: Growing up, I had never seen snow fall. I understood that there was much more to the world than where I was living, but I never had had the opportunity to experience it. Dartmouth gave me that opportunity. When I met with Coach Teevans, I could feel his upright character and humility fill the room. If it weren't for him, I don't think I would be here.
Jack Traynor: The overall atmosphere "Up in the Woods" is just so special. After meeting so many great people on my visit, I knew I wanted to spend my next four-plus years in Hanover.
Â
DS: What is one memory from your time with the Big Green that you will never forget?
MS: Winning the 2015 Ivy Championship was a special moment during my time here. Seeing how the seniors bonded and helped rebuild the Dartmouth tradition of winning during their four/five years here helped me understand what it meant and took to win.
JT: The historic comeback victory against Yale immediately comes to mind, but I will never forget the 2016 opening win over nationally ranked New Hampshire. It was my first opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a Dartmouth victory, and the postgame atmosphere was absolutely electric.
Â
DS: What are your post-Dartmouth plans?
MS: I will be an investment banking analyst for J.P. Morgan in New York City.
JT: I hope to pursue a career in finance, and I will be working in New York next summer.
Â
DS: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
MS: In a perfect world, the west coast of Africa. It's always interesting to hear about other people's heritage (Italian, Irish, etc.). But, for a large number of African-Americans, this isn't the case. So, it would be interesting to gain some sense of knowledge regarding my true heritage.
JT: I would never turn down a chance to bask under the sun somewhere in Mexico, but if I could go anywhere, I would be really interested in visiting Japan. I've never been anywhere in Asia, and my father has especially enjoyed his trips there.
Â
DS: Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?
MS: My mom and younger sister. Both of them have been through so much in their lives and to continue to persevere and live one day at a time is inspirational in and of itself. Much of what I have done has been for them and continues to be for them.
JT: Undoubtedly my parents. My mom, Darcy, has been there to help me resolve and learn from every single one of my missteps, while my dad, Carl, has taught me to never give up and "play hard" in everything I do. But above all, they have given me unconditional love and support, even when I haven't always reciprocated. I love you guys!
Â
DS: What is your favorite memory of your childhood?
MS: My mom loves law shows (Judge Judy, Cops, America's Most Wanted, Law and Order). I used to sit and watch them with her all the time. That's something I will always cherish.
JT: I'm a huge Michigan fan, and I'll never forget the biggest win I experienced in the Big House, a 27-25 victory over Penn State in 2005. Big Blue won on a last-second touchdown pass, and every one of the 100,000+ Wolverine fans must have cheered at the same time. The place absolutely exploded.
Â
DS: If you could swap places with one teammate, who would it be and why?
MS: David Emanuels '19. He has to be one of, if not, the smartest guy I've met. I'd like to just sit in his mind and watch how he thinks (if that were possible). Dr. Dave is the man.
JT: It would have to be Dave Emanuels. The guy is a genius and great football player, but I am definitely most envious of his endless energy. I would love to be that psyched for every practice.
Â
DS: What does being a member of the Big Green family mean to you?
MS: Sacrifice and advancement. At some point during your stint at Dartmouth, you will have to sacrifice something, whether it be sleep, leisure or getting to see family. Some of us, more than others. But at the end of it all, those sacrifices manifest themselves into a life-long commitment of excellence and personal advancement across all sectors of social, academic, athletic and professional life.
JT: Everything. I am so fortunate to have been able to decide to come here. It's truly the best decision I've ever made. I've learned more than I ever thought I would, made innumerable memories, and found lifelong friends and teammates.
Â
DS: If you could go back to freshman year and give yourself advice, what would it be?
MS: Hindsight is always 20-20. Looking back, I would have told myself to expand my professional network earlier in my college career. I have done a decent job to this point, but if I had understood the importance of a professional network back then as much as I do now, I would have extended myself a bit further in pursuing professional relationships.
JT: Don't be afraid to try anything. You may think that you have completely formed your identity, but you're wrong. You will encounter a ton of different opportunities and influences while here, so don't shut them out.
Â
DS: What do you like most about living in the Upper Valley?
MS: The seclusion of the Upper Valley made me fall in love with the area when I took my first visit here. The Upper Valley and Dartmouth more specifically, is sort of a bubble. Being in this bubble that is seemingly cut off from the outside world has allowed me to bond and create everlasting memories with a select group of guys that I can truly say will be life-long friends. I think friendships like these can only be created in the woods of New Hampshire.
JT: I honestly love its distance from a major city. When I'm in Hanover, I truly feel in the "here" and "now", able to clearly focus on my teammates, friends and studies.
Â
DS: Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
MS: Without a doubt, Kevin Hart. We are both extremely loud, short and funny, with the ability to interact with various groups of people.
JT: I would love Ryan Reynolds to take the role. Hopefully he could adequately portray my constant sarcasm.
Â
DS: You step outside tomorrow morning and find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million (after taxes). What would you do with the money?
MS: First and foremost, I'd donate a portion of it to some sort of cause that helps former inmates and homeless individuals with finding jobs, establishing their mental and physical health and finding a home. I'd also like to start a foundation that is aimed toward the advancement of talented students who suffer from financial and social hardships. There are millions of students in the United States that are academically gifted, but do not have the resources and support systems in place for them to succeed. For all of my younger cousins and siblings, I'd establish a trust fund for each of them to cover their college expenses and to give them a financial "leg up" as they begin their lives as independent, working adults. My mom, uncle, older cousins and a few family friends would each receive some sort of retirement account that will be there for them when they decide to retire.Â
JT: I would first attempt to pay back the bill I've racked up with my parents, but after that, I would buy a lake house in Northern Michigan (nothing beats a summer Up North!). Whatever's left is going into the bank.
Â
DS: If you participate in any service activities, what are they and how did you get involved?
JT: I volunteer at the local PADS shelter and Boys and Girls Club back in Chicago, but here in Hanover, I've helped out at the annual CHaD HERO and Prouty events. Both the football team and my fraternity, Gamma Delta Chi, provide great opportunities to help out.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, April 08
Saturday, November 22
Saturday, November 15
Saturday, November 08
