Men's Basketball Head Coach Matt McKillop '06 on Why Give, Why Now

Coming into Davidson, I knew it was a place where I could find rigorous academics and also play basketball on a national level. My relationship with the basketball program spans almost 60 years, and I'm fortunate to have been able to form personal relationships during every era of the team. I can connect so much of the success in my life to Davidson basketball — I met my closest lifelong friends through this program. We're entering a new chapter now with Matt McKillop '06, and I've been able to get to know the players outside of uniform. They're well-coached, competitive and have all the characteristics of a winning team.
~Jerry Kroll '70

Can you share an example of one or two ways philanthropic support has made your program stronger recently?
The TCC Head Coaching Endowment, started last year, has enormous potential for the program regarding sustainable yearly financial support. With everything changing so rapidly in college athletics, we need to not only keep pace but also find ways to get ahead in order to grow the program nationally.

Philanthropy has made our program stronger, literally. The Holland Family Basketball Performance Center, a basketball-specific weight room funded by a group of donors, has been so impactful in maximizing our players' time and ability to get stronger and work out more efficiently.

What are some key ways you see your program advancing in the next 1, 2, 5 years?
We need more NIL support to recruit and retain the best talent possible. To date, there is a direct correlation between NIL access and program success.

We are focused on being set up to compete for perennial A-10 Championships and NCAA Tournaments. There is a financial support component to that, and we want to be innovative and proactive in how we fund NIL and take this program to new heights.

What do you see in our scholar-athletes every day that makes an investment in them worthwhile?
Our scholar-athletes care about Davidson and the community. Our program is built on such a strong cultural foundation, and I know we want to win games and win championships, but we are also going to make our scholar-athletes successful in life. We believe the lessons and experiences from being in our gym and wearing the Davidson uniform will allow them to be successful in their careers, as husbands and fathers and as pillars in their communities. It's not just about your time at Davidson but how Davidson sets you up for success throughout the rest of your life.

What are you most excited about when you think about the future of your program?
Davidson Basketball has accomplished so much over the decades, but I'm excited for the potential and growth still to come. We are only scratching the surface of what this program can do for the college, for Davidson Athletics, for the Charlotte region.

"Athletics Done Right:" What does that mean to you?
It encapsulates everything above. We don't compromise, but we strive for greatness and expect tremendous growth as a program, from our players and as a coaching staff.

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