Montclair State University Athletics

Nick Matarazzo was an outstanding basketball player for the Montclair State Indians in the mid-to-late 1970s. A co-captain in his junior and senior seasons, he was named the Most Valuable PLayer on the team in his senior year and was twice selected as Montclair State's Defensive Player of the Year. He earned All-New Jersey State Athletic Conference honors in 1978-79 and finished his career as the school's all-time leader in assists and steals. But the measure of Matarazzo's career goes way beyond statistics and honors. Matarazzo's work ethic and determination made him an example for all to follow. Following his freshman season, Matarazzo was pulled aside by head coach Ollie Gelston who let him know that he had some excellent recruits coming that it would be tough for him to make the team. His response: "I hope they practice a lot this summer because they have never had someone like me play defense on them. And by the way coach, I want No. 13 next year. I plan on being your starting point guard.' True to his prediction, Matarazzo was Gelston's points guard in 1977 averaging seven points per game while recording a team-best 89 assists and 39 steals. The following year his numbers were better and in his senior season of 1979, Matarazzo capped off his career averaging 12.3 points to go along with 102 assists and 55 steals. He scored 571 points and registered 259 assists and 121 steals.