Peter Matthews had a few requirements when he was shopping around for a graduate program in sport administration.
First, he wanted online classes for maximum flexibility. More importantly, however, Matthews wanted a school with a strong basketball program, preferably one that would hire him as a graduate assistant so he could learn on the job while earning his degree.
He found all of that and quite a bit more at the University of Miami.
"Basketball is definitely the reason I came here," said Matthews, who enrolled with UOnline's Sport Administration Program in May 2022 and worked for two years as a graduate assistant with the University of Miami men's basketball team.
He was on the court during the team's historic run to the NCAA Final Four in 2023. He traveled with the team to the Bahamas for a tournament and later to France, visiting the Louvre and Eiffel Tower and riding bikes with players through the streets of Paris at night.
"We were like a family," Matthews said. "The players, coaches, and support staff; everyone was so locked in and focused, especially during the Final Four."
This summer, Matthews, 24, got the call he had only dared to dream about.
Men's basketball head coach Jim Larrañaga had promoted him to a full-time position with the team.
"When coach called me in and said he was moving me up, it was real emotional for me," said Matthews, who played basketball in high school and college and served as student manager for his undergraduate college basketball team.
"I can't imagine doing anything else," he said. "It really is a dream come true."
Matthews said his new position is also something like a dream come true for his family.
His dad, Paul Matthews, was an assistant coach for high school basketball, and his uncle Frank Dinnocenzio was the head coach. Together, they would take their youth basketball team to a New York state championship game in 2009.
"My dad and my uncle were longtime coaches, so I grew up around it," Peter Matthews said. "Now, (my dad) is kind of living through me. He comes down at least once a month (for games) and if the team goes up to Boston, New York, or Philly, he'll come to those games too. My parents were both teachers, so I think it's exciting for them to see (their children) doing what we love."
As assistant director of recruiting and player development, Matthews is heavily involved in Miami's recruiting efforts, coordinating travel logistics for official and unofficial visits. He works closely with current student-athletes to ensure they are getting in their workouts, making it to practice, and staying on top of their schoolwork.
He did similar tasks when he was a graduate assistant, helping set up and break down team practices, analyzing opponent film for scouting purposes, basically providing anything the players or coaches needed.
Connecting with recruits and their families is one of the highlights of his new position, Matthews said.
"Being part of that process is really special," said Matthews, who grew up in Newburgh, New York and meets a lot of recruits from New York and New Jersey. "I talk to a lot of those recruits because we have some things in common and I can relate to them."
In an announcement from the team this summer, Larrañaga said Matthews' outgoing personality makes him a natural fit for his new role.
"(Pete) builds long-lasting connections with everybody that he meets," Larrañaga said. "He has forged professional relationships with people from all walks of life, including NBA players, college players and college coaches. Pete brings an extensive network to our program, and we are very happy to have him join our coaching staff."
During his time in Miami, Matthews also assisted NBA players during court workouts, helping them with travel arrangements and training schedules, through his work with the Taylor Sports Group and Octagon Sports.
In fact, his relationship with two NBA players may have helped him land the job at the U. Edrice Femi "Bam" Adebayo of the Miami Heat and John Wall of the LA Clippers both spoke highly of Matthews and recommended him for his current position.
Matthews said his professors with UOnline also helped prepare him for the job.
Courses in event management, sports marketing, and ethical decision-making have all given him practical guidance for his role with the team, he said.
"The (UOnline) program is really tailormade for us," he said, referring to the basketball team's support staff. He said he has recommended it to three of his co-workers.
"We travel a lot during the season so it's helpful to be able to do your schoolwork on the plane or in a hotel," he said. "It prepared me for meeting deadlines and learning how to hold myself accountable."
Windy Dees, a professor and graduate program director in sport administration for the School of Education and Human Development, said she was thrilled to see Matthews land a position at the U.
"Peter is an outstanding student and great ambassador for our program," Dees said. "We are excited to see where his journey will take him."
For now, Matthews said he is exactly where he wants to be.
"Miami - the school and the city – are the two greatest places on earth," Matthews said. "I plan to stay as long as I can."
