I learned a lot that helped shape me where I am today while attending BSU.
Athletics were always a big part of Matt Vincenzi’s life growing up and continue to be so today – only on a professional level.
Instead of suiting up and playing sports, today Vincenzi writes about athletes as a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, where he has covered professional golf for the past five years.
“I was always passionate about sports writing, but in terms of playing I was more into basketball,” Vincenzi said. “However, something about the sport of professional golf I found fascinating…how important different grass types are, course experience, and so many other fine details, and how they impact the result of tournaments drew me in.”
Post high school, the initial plan was to play basketball in college, which Vincenzi did for a year before transferring to Bridgewater State University, where he opted to hang up his sneakers and study English with a writing and writing-studies concentration.
“I chose this path because I loved both sports and English in high school. I read and wrote recreationally, and it seemed like a natural fit for me,” the 2013 BSU alumnus said.
The courses he took, and professors he had, both helped prepare him for a career in writing.
“I learned so much about writing and journalism through the program,” Vincenzi said. “I learned a lot that helped shape me where I am today while attending BSU.”
After earning his degree, he was hired and wrote for the Action Network for three years before moving onto GolfWRX. He spent another three years there before SI came calling.
He officially started his gig with the well-known publication this past October and has loved every minute covering “breaking and trending” stories. He’s had the opportunity to interview world renown golfers, like Ian Poulter, Joaquín Niemann, An Byeong-hun, and Benjamin Griffin.
Over the last couple of years, he’s broken a handful of big stories including Niemann’s invitation to the PGA Championship, as well as some LIV Golf (men’s professional golf tour) trades.
“I’d like to continue covering golf professionally and hopefully cover more events in person and further develop my relationships with professional players,” he said of his future goals.
He hasn’t completely thrown in the towel when it comes to basketball either. Vincenzi is the head coach for the boys varsity basketball team in Pembroke, where he earned coach of the year honors from the Massachusetts Basketball Association in 2021 and 2022.
Being able to coach and write for a living is something Vincenzi is grateful for and encourages current BSU students to carve out their own paths doing something they like.
“If you do what you are passionate about, living your life is a lot easier,” he said, adding, “Don’t’ just look forward to the weekends, make sure you enjoy every day.”
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