There's Magic in the Air

Matt Robertson (‘12) and wife Bethany (Lipscombe) (‘10) after the Moncton Magic won the 2019 NBL Canada Championship. Matt has served as assistant coach since 2016.

Photo credit: Jacinthe LeBlanc / Moncton Magic

Crandall University alumni have a tendency of finding themselves in a wide variety of life circumstances. Some go on to become doctors, lawyers, pastors, or teachers. Others enter the business world and use their education in the corporate world. Others still find themselves behind the bench helping the Moncton Magic win the NBL Canada Championship.

Long before becoming assistant coach to the Magic, Matt Robertson played for the Crandall Chargers, graduating with his Bachelor of Education in 2012. Reflecting on his time at Crandall, Matt said, “It set me up with a good foundation for how I plan to live my life and how I plan to present myself in the community.”

A star athlete, Matt was encouraged by Dr. Greg Maillet to try out for the brand new Moncton Miracles basketball team. Out of 175 players who tried out, Matt was offered a contract with the team and played for three seasons before retiring. During his third season with the Miracles, Matt returned to Crandall as an admissions counsellor, a job that he would hold for the next three years before being invited to serve as assistant coach of the Miracles under Paul Mokeski.

“I had done some coaching to that point – never even close to that level,” said Matt. “But I jumped in, and it’s my favourite thing that I'm doing right now.”

Matt then continued with his role under Joe Salerno with the Magic, and focuses on player development and game day responsibilities, a role that is all about establishing relationships and understanding what each player needs in the moment. “My teaching degree comes in really handy,” Matt said. Knowing “the right approach for the right student at the right time” is an invaluable skill to have when working with athletes as much as with students, and even during his day job: “I’m not a teacher right now, but I use those skills that I learned in my BEd every day.”

Apart from serving part time on the coaching staff with the Magic, Matt currently works as a Territory Manager for Hologic, the world’s largest company solely dedicated to women’s health. It’s a schedule that not everyone would be able to keep, but since his job sees him travelling around the Maritimes, he’s found that, more often than not, his work and basketball schedules are able to coincide.

It can be demanding, but Matt is happy to have the opportunity to pursue his passion in this way – an opportunity that not many others get, and he is appreciative of the chance to be a part of it, particularly to his wife Bethany (Lipscombe, ’10): “My wife has been willing to sacrifice some time to let me do this, which has been pretty incredible.”

While he may not be 100% sure what the future holds, it’s clear Matt would be happy to be involved in Basketball at any level: “Basketball is the thing that will come with me for the rest of my life.” We wish you all the best in seasons to come, Matt!