Knox College Athletics

Matt Hayden was a four-year starter and record-breaking running back on the football team. He graduated in 1998 after a career that saw him finish in the top-10 in most offensive categories.

Matt was a two-time All-Midwest Conference selection and also a two-time winner of the Tom Dean Award, given to the Most Valuable Player of the Turkey Bowl against Monmouth. He ranks fourth on the all-time rushing list currently, but was second at the time of graduation. Maybe most impressive is the fact that he shared a backfield with two other hall of famers during his career. Drew Sherman and Ryan Stuffelbeam also are in the top-12 in career rushing yards. Matt is also fourth on the all-time list with 21 career rushing touchdowns. He is also in the top-10 in career rushing attempts, rushing yards per game, average carry, most games over 100 yards, most games over 200 yards, most consecutive 100 yard games, consecutive games with a rushing touchdown, most rushing yards in a season, most rushing attempts in a season, and best average carry in a season.

Teammate Rob Middleton ’99 sums up Matt’s running ability. “I saw a player who was light on his feet, quick, and laterally agile, like no other tailback I ever played with. I saw a player who ran with great vision, found daylight where there was little, and simply made the most of every run he had.”

Former coach Andy Gibbons remembers Matt as a hard-worker and excellent teammate as well as his on field ability. “Matt had the best vision and cutback ability of any running back I have coached at Knox. He seemed to have eyes everywhere. He also would do whatever we asked of him and never complained. He was an excellent blocker, a great teammate, and excelled at keeping everyone loose.”

Another teammate, Kristofor Nelson, was equally impressed with Matt’s career. “His achievements are even more impressive when you consider that Matt played in a balanced offense that threw the ball as much as it ran and shared the running duties with as many as four other running backs throughout his career. In addition to his physical talents, Matt was the quintessential teammate. Matt cared more about the team’s success than his personal statistics. He never complained about sharing the ball or the spotlight and is quick to give credit for his success to his teammates.”

Matt went on to pursue a career in athletics. He currently works in the athletic department at St. Louis University. He also has worked for the University of Illinois and Washington University in St. Louis.

I am honored to welcome Matt Hayden into the Knox-Lombard Hall of Fame.