Matthew Margaron joined the campus ministries team in the summer of 2019 as the newly endowed chaplain of athletics. Matt serves and cares for the entire athletic community at Hope College, including the 550+ student-athletes, 17 full time coaches and over 50 assistant coaches.

The mission of the athletics ministry is to provide students the opportunity to encounter God through the integration of faith and sport. Matt and his volunteer team accomplish this mission through prayer, mentoring students, faith formation/exploration, leadership development, and local and international opportunities for service.

Matt is also involved at Hope College through:

• Teaching a class as a part of the leadership minor
• Staff advisor for the Ski/Snowboard Club

Education

• M.A., community counseling, Regent University, 2008
• B.A., psychology and religion, Hope College, 2003

Previous Experience

Matthew joins the campus ministries team after serving in ministry on Young Life staff for nearly 10 years. He still serves Young Life as a part of their national training team specializing in training staff from around the country in counseling and emotionally healthy ministry practices. Prior to working in full time ministry with Young Life, he worked as a licensed clinical professional counselor specializing in youth, young adult and family counseling.

Awards & Hope Athletic Career

Matt was a 4x varsity letter winner with the Hope College Men’s Soccer Team from 1999 to 2002.

• 3x All-MIAA Conference Soccer Player
• 2x NSCAA All Great Lakes Regional Soccer Player
• 2002 Dr. Marvin A. Zuidema Award Winner for contribution to team play, leadership qualities, demonstration of ethical virtues, and excellence in athletics and academics.

Matt has also coached soccer at the youth, high school, club, and college levels.

Why I love Hope

Matt loves working at Hope because it is a place where there is true opportunity for authentic community and transformational growth. As the chaplain of athletics, he is thankful and passionate that the entire athletic community has an intentional space to explore their faith and discern their vocational calling. 

Outside the College

Matt’s first passion is spending time with his family. He has been married to his wife, Eli, for 15 years and has two middle-school daughters, Emma (13) and Leah (11). Matt loves the outdoors, exploring the national parks, traveling around the world and reading a good book. He is a huge fan of Hope Athletics. When he is not at a Hope game, you may see him cheering on the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears or Chicago Red Stars.