By Staff
It was Wednesday when I first found out the condition of Matt Kurtis.
For those of you who don't know "Matty," just read today's article and that will fill you in.
It was at a Brandywine softball game where I first met Matty. I remember interviewing coach Jim Myers after a long game and asking him for stats.
"You need to see that man right there," Myers said and he pointed to Matty, who was sitting in the dugout with the stats in hand.
"Oh no, it's going to cost you to see these," he said with a serious look on his face. I laughed it off and sat beside him.
"You think I was kidding," he said. "Naw, how much do you want?" I replied. "Oh, you seem like a nice girl, I'll give them to you for free this time, but next time it will cost," Matty said and that was that.
From that day on, Matty gave me a hard time about getting stats and he never let up.
When basketball and volleyball seasons rolled around, it wasn't any better. This time, it was rosters I was after before the start of a game.
Matty sat at the admissions table right by the door and everytime he saw me come in he would hide them.
"Sorry no newspaper people are admitted today," he would say. "Ok then, I'll send all the upset parents to you when they ask why the game wasn't covered," and he slapped them on the table. “OK you win.”
Let me tell you, Bobcat fans like their coverage! So I know Matty knew what I was talking about.
If you've never met Matty, you're missing out. He is a truely special person and I don't think I could ever find the right words to describe him.
For over 20 years, he has helped Brandywine in anyway he could. He did it because he wanted and liked to. No pressure, no pushing, just because this was something he enjoyed doing so much. Helping other people and making them happy.
Matty has had a huge impact on so many people, especially students who not only enjoy his jokes, but also the treats and drinks he used to sneak behind coaches backs before games and practices. He was also known to give a few shoulder rubs to athletes who had hard days.
His support, words of encouragement and voice impersonations are what keep people going.
It's people like Matty who make you appreciate life. He's not out to hurt anyone or to cause a bad day. Instead he just wants to put a smile on your face.
Matty has faced many obstacles in his life, and has found a way to overcome them. I'm very happy to see that we live in a community that takes pride in people like him.
I don't know Matty on the level that most people do, but I am very grateful for the times I was able to sit and chit-chat with him before and after games. He is a great person with a big heart and wants nothing more than to see people happy.
If only there were more Matty's in this word, it may just be a better place.
I wish you the best Matty! You truely are an inspiration to so many people!