The Messiah men's lacrosse team's 2017 season is under way and they are looking to build off of last year's success after finishing the season with a record of 11-7 and advancing to the MAC Commonwealth Championship for the second year in a row. Senior
Matthew Franken looks to lead this year's squad and will be an influential part of the Falcons offense. Last year he was second on the team with 21 goals, 26 points, and collected five assists. The Falcons open their season on Feb. 18 with a home game against the Bullets of Gettysburg at 5:00 p.m.
We decided to sit down with Matt to learn more about his Messiah experience.
What are the names of the rest of your family and where do you fall among siblings?
My parents are Kim and John Franken. I have three siblings William, Katie, and Joseph. I am in the middle after Katie and before Joseph.
Is there anything unique about your family or members of your family that you want to share?
Every single one of my siblings has either attended Messiah or is currently a student at Messiah.
Why did you come to Messiah and/or why do you love being at Messiah?
Once I met the men on the team I was sold and knew I would be attending Messiah. The men on the lacrosse team love to have fun, come from many different backgrounds, and push each other to be better all around men.
Why did you choose your specific major here at Messiah? Have you enjoyed your study in it? Why or why not?
I chose to study Business Administration here at Messiah because I was always fascinated with business and learning how different businesses function.
What is your dream job for after college?
My dream job after college would be to move into either equity research or portfolio management. I have a passion for finance and will be chasing after that passion starting in five months.
If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be and why?
This man is currently still living, but I would love to get dinner with Warren Buffet. He is a wealth of knowledge and I have really enjoyed reading some of his books.
How do you balance your academic work and your commitment to your sport?
n my first two years at Messiah I struggled to balance academics and lacrosse. During my junior year I really focused on time management and using a schedule, that pushed me to being a better student and athlete.
Who has most influenced your life and why?
My dad because of how willing he has been in support of me from the very beginning and I know it will continue.
What is one thing about Coach Bulus that those outside your team may not know?
Coach AT is really enjoys his music and is a talented musician.
What is special about your coaching staff and teammates, and how would you explain that to a recruit or someone outside of the program?
Something that I find to be special is the way coaches/teammates care about player development, but even more so about character development.
What is one of your favorite team traditions and why?
After our first away game win we sing karaoke on the bus ride home.
Have you experienced an obstacle (e.g., injury) that you've had to overcome and would be willing to share? What has helped you overcome this obstacle and how have your coaches, teammates, and friends helped with this?
I have been a little bit plagued with injury here at Messiah. During my sophomore year I was diagnosed with a sports hernia, which led to getting surgery later after that season. The following year I was not entirely healthy because I started having back issues, in which I got diagnosed with four genetic diseases in my low back. Dealing with these injuries has been extremely difficult especially because I am stilling dealing with pain in my back, but I have learned to work through pain and be more mentally tough. The coaching staff has helped me through this with being sensitive to my body.
What advice would you give to younger student-athletes looking to play a sport in college?
If you are thinking about playing a sport in college it is a must do. You make some of your best friends and truly learn how work hard.
If you had to answer the question #WhyMessiah what would you say?
#WhyNotMessiah
