West Seneca Proud to Call Matt Anderson One of Their Own

In the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, one of West Seneca’s own represented the town, as well as the nation, as a member of the Men’s Volleyball team that took home bronze. Outside Hitter Matt Anderson, long before wearing the red, white and blue for his country, wore blue and gold for the West Seneca West Indians.

Friday afternoon, the Olympian came back to his alma mater for a special homecoming ceremony. The gym was packed with students, fans and members of the West Seneca West Boys and Girls Volleyball teams.

The ceremony included some Q & A with the Olympian. When he was asked about his favorite memory at West Seneca West, he said simply “going 17-0 in my senior year”. Anderson led the 2004 West Seneca West Boys Volleyball Team to a division title. Anderson later shared his medal with a little girl who asked how heavy it was.

As the ceremony began drawing to a close, NYS assemblyman Michael Kearns talked about Anderson and congratulated Anderson on his performance. West Seneca Supervisor Sheila Meegan spoke about the Olympian and the impact he has had on his hometown. She declared September 9th “Matt Anderson Day” in the town of West Seneca.

Principal Jay Brinker then showed Anderson a special dedication to him on a wall outside the gym. There hangs two of his jerseys, one from his time at West Seneca West and the other an Olympic jersey. Next to the jersey are placards, representing his time at Penn State, the London Olympics and the Rio Olympics.

Afterwards, Matt Anderson signed autographs for students and fans.

Besides making West Seneca proud of him on the court, they are also very proud of him off the court.

A huge supporter of Autism Services, an agency which serves people with autism in WNY, Anderson has a tattoo of a blue puzzle piece with his nephew Tristian’s name on it to help bring awareness. On Saturday, November 5th, Anderson will host the 3rd annual Spiking for Autism Volleyball Tournament. The proceeds of the event will go to the agency. http://www.spikingforautism.com/

West Seneca is very proud to call Matt Anderson one of their own.