Senior Salute: Matt Rehfeldt
April 3, 2020
Name: Matt Rehfeldt
Hometown: Peotone, Illinois
High School: Peotone
Athletic accomplishments:
- Earned four varsity letters on the baseball team.
- Began his Olivet career as an infielder but transitioned to the mound for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
- As a freshman in 2017, drove in what proved to be the winning run in the Comets' 4-2 win over Adrian. The win snapped a 46-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
- Had two saves in 2020 ... the second was in the 3-2 season-finale win over Nebraska Wesleyan University.
- MIAA Pitcher of the Week after getting the two saves
Clubs/organizations:
- Adelphic Alpha Pi
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
- Student Government Association
- Phi Epsilon Kappa
Academic honors/awards:
- Dean's List
- MIAA Pitcher of the Week
Favorite baseball memory:
- Being able to spend everyday with his teammates. They were my family away from home.
Favorite non-athletic memory:
- The music festival.
Major and minor:
- Sports Recreation Management with business concentration major, psychology minor
Plans after graduation:
- Attend graduate school and earn a master's degree. Also possibly use his last year of eligibility to play ball one last time.
Other thoughts:
- I want to thank my teammates and Coach Dixon. They all made my four years some of the best years I have ever had. Although this season was cut short, it was my favorite year of baseball yet. I am also grateful for Coach Mahan for giving me the opportunity to play college baseball.
Who has supported you during your time as a student-athlete?
- My parents, Steve and Sue Rehfeldt
Quote from head baseball coach Shelby Dixon:
- "Matt has been a foundational piece of this senior class and been the consummate teammate, always working to pick someone up and provide the team with whatever it needed. Matt moved to the mound and has been a vital piece to the improved pitching staff during his junior and senior seasons, holding down the back end of the bullpen and providing stability and consistency. His sense of humor and joy in life are a unique and defining characteristic, as Matt was always able to provide a laugh and smile for any of his teammates at any time. He has been a great person to get to know off the field and I am thankful for my time with Matt."
Editor's Note: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the abrubt end to winter and spring sports for the 2019-20 academic year. We are not able to host Senior Day ceremonies to thank these seniors for their dedication to their chosen sport. As a result, we will be posting senior salutes like above for each senior over the coming weeks.