17 JUN 2006 - Matt Receives Distinguished Alumni Award On June 14th, Matt was honored with the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Hillsboro Community Unit School District #3 Educational Foundation. The Foundation is a Not-for-Profit Corporation established in 1994 to promote public support for the Hillsboro Unit School District and its graduating seniors through tax-deductable contributions.The award was presented on Wednesday night at a banquet attended by Matt's family and friends. Speakers at the event included Dave Ball and Rich Stewart, coaches and mentors from Matt's high school days and the award was presented by 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Roger C. McFarlin M.D. Dr. McFarlin is also the physician who delivered Matt and Mark Hughes in October of 1973.

Matt demonstrates the Rear Naked Choke on Brian Patton, Head Cross Country/Track Coach for Greenville College and also the Store Manager for this site.

Matt is presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by Dr. Roger McFarlin.

Matt and Educational Foundation President Barbara Adams.

Congratulations on your win. I had no doubt. I was so excited for you and I wasn't even fighting. The best part is that you thanked God and acknowledged him. I have a lot of respect for you as a fighter and as a family man. Good luck to you in the future. I will continue to support you and watch your career grow.

-John

Congrats Matt! Great win over Gracie. Just wanted to let you know that it is really awesome to have a true Christian representing the Welterweight Belt. Good luck in the future.

-Jason

I would just like to send this message to Matt saying WAY TO GO! You are truly one of the best fighters the world has have ever seen!

-Greg

I think you could be the greatest fighter of all time, even though you are already the most dominant ever. I hope you continue to compete until you can't anymore and I hope you are at the best at your game when it is time to hang em up. I love watching you fight, the way you stare your opponent right in the face the whole time before you guys fight. You are probably the smartest fighter I have seen, the way you want to continue learning, that is an unbelievable talent that is greatly forgotten. You have been a big inspiration and influence in the way I live my life. Keep up the hard work, and never lose the passion because nobody can compete with you.

-James

I saw your fight with Royce, man that was excellent...I just wanted you to know you are a great inspiration and a perfect example of what MMA really is.

-John

IT WAS GORGEOUS, SO ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL WORDS CANT DESCRIBE IT!!!! I WAS UP OUT OF MY CHAIR YELLING SCREAMING MORE THAN I HAVE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE!! MATT TOTALLY DOMINATED LIKE NONE OTHER I HAVE EVER SAW, I DO HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO ROYCE FOR THAT AMAZING WILL NOT TO TAP TO THE ARM, BUT MATT WAS SO INCREDIBLE, HE DID BETTER THAN I EVER EXPECTED, MY HATS OFF TO YOU MATT, TRULY AN AMAZING FEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Mac

Awesome job tonight, Matt!! That was such a great fight! You always put God first and that's amazing! I can tell by the way you fight and how you train others that your gym is the best. Not only does your gym train people on how to fight, it trains with respect for others and for God! Congratulations on the fight and continue to stay true to yourself, because your personality, manners and kick ass training is what makes you a great fighter! A country boy can survive! God Bless!

-Jessica

I want to point out how impressed I am with the class that Matt showed after he beat mine and many other people's legend: Royce Gracie. Matt truly showed why he is the champion. He surprised me with such respect, but he was very humble and great. That has changed my opinion of Matt and gained my respect. Great job! Lots of people are good fighters, but only true champions carry it like Matt did that night.
"When you lose, say little. When you win, say less."

-Ziggy

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