Matson Named To Forbes 30 Under 30

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina Field Hockey head coach Erin Matson added another line to her already exhaustive resume when she was named to Forbes' annual 30 under 30 list for 2025 on Tuesday morning.

The 24-year-old Matson was named amongst a list of 30 rising stars in the world of sports that included the likes of Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum, Chrstian McCaffrey, and Ilona Maher. The selections were reviewed by a panel of judges who themselves are big players in sports such as legendary skier Lindsey Vonn and Keia Clarke the CEO of the New York Liberty.

Of the 30 honorees, Matson's words were chosen to wrap up and best summarize the spirit of the article:

"Asked the advice she would give her 18-year-old self, however, Matson offers a more universal sentiment—one that could serve as a motto for the 30 Under 30 list.

'If you think a goal is ambitious, I dare you to think bigger,' she says. 'Don't for a second let outside voices and opinions knock you off your path. You will never be criticized by someone who is doing more than you; you will only be criticized by those who are doing less.

'Stay the course, and continue unapologetically chasing your dreams. Trust me, you'd be shocked to see where you get and how many people you bring along with you."

Matson, deemed the "Michael Jordan of field hockey" as one of the most decorated players in the sport's history, took over the helm of her alma mater before she had even graduated and led the team to a national championship in her first season. In two full years in charge, she has amassed a 38-4 record on the way to two ACC regular season and tournament titles and has coached her athletes to a Honda Award, three All-America honors and nine All-ACC commendations.

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University of North Carolina Athletics

"Asked the advice she would give her 18-year-old self, however, Matson offers a more universal sentiment—one that could serve as a motto for the 30 Under 30 list.

'If you think a goal is ambitious, I dare you to think bigger,' she says. 'Don't for a second let outside voices and opinions knock you off your path. You will never be criticized by someone who is doing more than you; you will only be criticized by those who are doing less.

'Stay the course, and continue unapologetically chasing your dreams. Trust me, you'd be shocked to see where you get and how many people you bring along with you."

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