Matt Makowski

Classroom

A Biology major, Makowski carries a 3.94 GPA navigating many of American University’s toughest courses, such as Organic Chemistry 1 & 2, University Physics 1 & 2, Vertebrate Physiology, Genetics and Cell Biology. Following the 2010-11 school year, was recognized as American University’s “Outstanding Honors Junior” for his academic work. At the start of his senior year, Makowski was selected as one of American University’s two Rhodes Scholar nominees, and amongst a competitive field, he has been picked as a teaching assistant for the school’s public health major. In the summer of 2011, Makowski participated in the Research Experience for Undergraduates at Penn State where he studied 3-D visualization of virus host interactions in viral pathogenesis and evolution at the medical campus of Penn State Hershey. 

He was named the Patriot League men’s soccer’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2010, and was selected to the conference’s inaugural Academic All-Patriot League Team. He has earned Dean’s List honors in five semesters, and has been a Patriot League Academic Honor Roll selection in all three of his eligible years. In the fall 2008 semester, he was one of four Patriot League men’s soccer student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He also posted 4.0 GPAs in the spring 2010 and spring 2011 terms.

Character

Makowski is unquestionably a team leader, and has been named a team captain for this season. Head Coach Todd West puts it best with his description of Makowski’s character: “Matt is a coach’s dream. He is literally the first guy on the field for training and the last guy off the field. He is always pushing himself and his teammates to get better. Matt is a terrific goalkeeper and even a better young man. We are lucky to have him.”

Community

Makowski is the men’s soccer team’s representative on American University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and has been part of several community initiatives over the last few years. He has taken an active role in the organization’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day, helping to welcome visitors to campus, preparing gift bags and serving as a department representative. Relating to soccer, he has provided free goalkeeping training at several camps and clinics, and works with local club and high school teams in his hometown of Quakertown, Pa., during school breaks.

Competition

Makowski has been a standout in goal for American since he arrived on campus, as he has started all 60 matches of his career and was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2008 as well as All-Patriot League Second Team in 2010. Heading into the 2011 season, he has registered 16 career shutouts with a 1.12 goals against average. Makowski has guided the Eagles to a 24-22-8 career record in his three previous seasons as the starting goalkeeper, including a 12-5-4 record in Patriot League play. He has led American to PL Tournament berths in all three of his seasons, including a share of the PL regular season title in 2008 and berths in the conference championship match in both 2009 and 2010. Makowski has also been honored with Patriot League weekly awards six times in his three years—four times as the Goalkeeper of the Week and twice as the Rookie of the
Week.

In 2010, Makowski registered a 1.08 GAA and recorded five shutouts en route to second team all-conference honors and being named the league’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. His 77 saves were the second-most in the conference, and his .802 save percentage was good for third-best in the Patriot League.