ORANGEBURG, SC— After a breakout season with the Lady Bulldog softball team, we had a chance to sit down with Head Coach Tatjana Matthews. Matthews is in her fifth (5^th) season at the helm of the program. Prior to taking the reins at SC State, Matthews served as head softball coach at Allen University, where she was also Assistant Director of Athletics/SWA and adjunct professor in the criminal justice department. While at AU, Matthews made an immediate impact, lifting the softball program from four (4) wins to 16 in a single season. Before her tenure at Allen, Matthews served as head coach at Mississippi University for Women "The W," a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Matthews finished with a 21-19 record in the program's first year of existence and qualified for the USCAA World Series, finishing fifth. While there she coached two USCAA All-Americans, including current assistant coach Katlyn Duke, 10 All-Academic All-Americans, as well as Cara Hopper a member of the USCAA All-World Series team. To see Matthew's complete bio, visit www.scsuathletics.com

Q: When you look at your career what are some of the things you learned from your previous coaching stints?
A: I have learned many things over the last 15+ years of coaching.  I think the ones that have helped me the most are: to listen more, love unconditionally and never quit learning and growing.  
 
Q: This season was one of the best since your arrival at SC State as your team came close of advancing to the title game. What has the season meant to you?
A: This season is a culmination of four years of hard work. Finally being able to see the effort we have put into the program pay off has meant the world to me. To see where we started and where we have come has been the best gift these ladies have given me.  I think we have changed the way people look at SC State softball.  We haven't always been given the respect we deserve, and I think we changed that.  
 
Q: When you are out recruiting a student-athlete what are the top three (3) things you look for that you consider as a perfect fit for your program.
A: Everyone is looking for talent but the things that turn a talented high school athlete into a successful collegiate athlete are integrity, attitude, work-ethic/effort.  These characteristics must accompany them on the field, off the field and in the classroom.  
 
Q: What would you say was one of the biggest challenges you face in your current role?
A: I would say my biggest challenge (besides the new normal of the transfer portal) is to remember that this generation of athletes is unlike those from the past.  The world is such a different place now from when I grew up.  The way young athletes learn, process information, and communicate differently.  I must continue to learn and evolve as an instructor and coach to understand these differences and meet them on a level where we can communicate.  Understanding that the old way is extinct and learning to change with this new generation has been difficult but has also made me a better coach.  
 
Q: What would you tell your younger self at this point?
A:   You'd be proud of where we are right now! Also, it is ok to stop and celebrate the small victories but keep grinding because the work isn't finished yet.  Those moments when you want to pull your hair out because of some bonehead thing the players did.  They become your favorite memories and the stories you tell at their weddings.  
 
Q. What was the best advice given to you throughout your career?
A: there are two things.  1) When everything is going right look around you and when everything is going wrong look in the mirror.  2) I was told early on in my coaching career to make sure you hire someone who is better than you at an aspect of the job and never stop learning. 
 
What is the biggest challenge you see in college softball today?
A: The obstruction rule.  But honestly, I think one of the biggest challenges is the instant gratification mindset and/or lack of the understanding that you may need to work hard, develop more, and get mentally tough before you can have a successful chance at the next level.  This is something we see in coaches, players, and parents. Earning a spot on the team at the collegiate level is a product of the thousands of hours you put in to get to this level.  However, what got you on the team is not good enough to get you in the starting lineup, you've got to put in a lot more hours to get there. At every level, you must dig deeper and grind even more and there is no instant gratification....
 
Q: What is a misconception about coaches society always claim?
A: When we are tough on a student athlete we don't care.  In fact, it's the complete opposite.  We love you enough to let you struggle and fail and then help you learn how to not make those mistakes again.  
 
Q: When I am not working, I am doing? 
A: My boys will tell me I'm always working since softball is always on at the house.  However, I'm probably watching more softball or playing with E and the boys.  
 
Q: If I wasn't in my current role, what profession would I be in?  
A: Criminal justice professor or work at our gym with E. 
 
Q: A hidden talent I have no one knows about is?
A: I'm pretty good in the kitchen cooking and baking. 
 
Q: The person I admire the most in life?
A: As just a genuine all-around good human being- Elise.  The coach I admire the most is Beth Torina because she balances being an amazingly successful coach, wife and mother.
 
Q: My favorite quote in life? 
A: To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift. -Steve Prefontaine
 
Hot Seat
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Cereal or Snack:  Frosted flakes with chocolate milk
Favorite Song and Artist: Better together- Jack Johnson or Don't take the Girl- Tim McGraw
Favorite Hobby: Cooking and baking 
Favorite Sport besides softball: NCAA Women's basketball 
Something About Myself No One Else Knows: I was better at basketball but loved baseball/softball more.  My dad was a professional basketball player and taught me to dribble a ball before I could walk.
One word that describes yourself: Assiduous

ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
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