The Group Chat: Nothing like a fresh set of pencils
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
🧪 CHEMISTRY: Erin Matson, UNC field hockey head coach
Meet the Michael Jordan of field hockey: In her five years playing at Carolina, Matson won four national titles and five ACC championships, became the all-time leading scorer in UNC, ACC, and NCAA tourney history, won the Honda Sport Award (aka MVP) three times…we could go on. But her most impressive achievement came a few months after her collegiate playing career ended.
- In December 2023, the 23-year-old was named as the prodigious program’s new head coach. Leading former peers is a challenge even for experienced coaches, but Matson made it look easy, winning another national championship in her first year at the helm. Unreal.
- Next on Matson’s list? Other than a natty (they’re ranked No. 2 in the preseason), she’s using her considerable TikTok following to spotlight field hockey, bringing the sport into the mainstream just in time for the LA 2028 Olympics. BRB, becoming fockey’s biggest fan.
🏛️ HISTORY: Arch Manning, Texas football quarterback
Arguably the most well-known NCAA athlete, Manning’s part of football’s First Family, the grandson of NFL legend Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton and Eli. After a few starts as second-string quarterback (QB) last season, he’s officially taken the reins as QB1 for the Longhorns, who nabbed their first-ever preseason No. 1 ranking thanks to the immeasurable hype surrounding him.
- With that pedigree, fans’ expectations are through the roof, earning Manning early Heisman nods, lots of NIL money, and partnerships with premium brands like Vuori and Uber. Almost as cool as having Matthew McConaughey and Glenn Powell rooting for you.
- Manning Madness lost some shine yesterday when he struggled in the Longhorns’ blockbuster Week 1 matchup, a tough road loss against reigning national champ No. 3 Ohio State. But everything’s bigger in Texas, including the season-long redemption arcs.
🎨 ART: Harper Murray, Nebraska volleyball outside hitter
The above is the iconic picture from Nebraska volleyball’s 2023 record-setting game in the school’s football stadium. Right there in the middle is outside hitter Harper Murray, then a freshman and now hitting the court for her junior year. Her jump serve is literally a work of art, but her viral TikToks are also masterpieces.
- Murray overcame off-court struggles to log a stunning sophomore campaign, earning second-team All-American status and helping lead her Cornhuskers, one of college volleyball’s most prestigious programs, to the national semifinals for the second straight year.
- Women’s volleyball fandom and viewership is, ahem, spiking in the U.S., at the collegiate and pro levels, and media-savvy stars like Murray are fueling its growth. As one of the faces of the sport, expect to see lots of her in your feed this season.
Call him cocky or call him a genius — there’s no doubt Coach Prime is one of college sports’ most colorful characters. The NFL legend-turned-NCAA coach knows how to ruffle feathers, is always good for a wild quote, and has dragged Colorado football into the national limelight through the sheer force of his personality and legacy.
- The Buffaloes are entering year three with him at the helm, but this time he’ll be without his son, star QB Shedeur, and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. He’s also persevering through health issues, though he says they won’t slow him down.
- And if there’s one thing Prime knows how to do, it’s drum up hype where there once was only doubt. His first two seasons were rollercoaster rides. Now, the college football world is waiting with bated breath to see what he does next.
