If you’ve ever heard the colorful comments at a Tech sporting event and wondered who was doing all the talking—Matt Rodriguez is the face to the voice. Matt is the sportscaster for the Virginia Tech hockey team and works with the media crew. Other activities on his extensive (and wildly impressive) resume are: an internship with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball team, a few semesters as the wing on the Virginia Tech rugby team, and, to top it off, he is president of the prestigious campus fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon.
Her Campus Virginia Tech: So how did you get into VT sports casting?
Matt Rodriguez: A friend told me about the position, and I want to use my major in Communications to go into sports casting, so I immediately signed up. I’ve always been more of a baseball fan (the Red Sox to be exact), but the job has really gotten me into hockey. This summer, I interned with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a minor league baseball team, and got to operate the scoreboard for the games. I also had the opportunity to meet Trent Richardson and Billy Hamilton while I was working, which was amazing.
HCVT: As President of TKE, what are some of your responsibilities?
MR: My most important job is public relations, I’m constantly representing and promoting the fraternity. We want to maintain a good name with the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech communities. We also try to participate in as many greek philanthropies as possible. We’re really involved with non-profit philanthropies in the New River valley that help the homeless as well as Relay for Life and the Big Event. We’re actually starting and internal and personal philanthropy under Tau Kappa Epsilon.
HCVT: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about being a leader?
MR: You really can’t be afraid to be the unpopular one among the group. Of course you always want to be well liked, especially among your brothers, but sometimes you have to put aside what everyone wants to do to make a better decision for the group.
HCVT: Why would you encourage others to go Greek?
MR: One of the best experiences I’ve had at Tech thus far was joining TKE. I have such a close bond with each and every one of the guys—they truly are my brothers. I know that through them, I’ve made life long friends. I’ve also learned leadership and team work skills that are applicable to real life situations. I would tell anyone who’s interested in making friends and having a great time to get involved, especially if it’s through a sorority or fraternity.