The Rampage October 2019

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A Twist of Fate for Student Matthew Mainville

by Tanya Pinette

Communication • 2021

Sometimes dreams come true, but sometimes they do not. Consider the story of Matthew Mainville — a Bluefield College student who was left feeling helpless after being told that his football career was over. Mainville, a Bluefield College junior psychology major, is currently a manager for the Rams football team, a position in which he takes great pride. However, he once played football for the Rams until his dream to play football throughout his college career was crushed when his health became a major concern. Mainville’s love for football began in middle school. As a seventh grader, he worked hard each day until his senior year of high school to become the best player he could be, all while hoping to be recruited to a four-year university. When Bluefield College contacted him, he knew it was the opportunity that he had been waiting for. “I needed a college experience where I wouldn’t feel like I am just a number,” Mainville said about his choice to attend

Bluefield College, “so I chose a small private college where I could explore my faith more deeply.” Mainville was more than excited to start a new chapter of life as a student- athlete at Bluefield College. That all changed during football camp in the fall of 2016. Mainville was tackled and suffered a concussion that would cost him his entire first college football season. He had experienced concussions before in high school football, but little did he know that this concussion would be his last on the field.

“I was told by the athletic trainers that if I got one more, I would never be able to play again,” Mainville said. “The next fall, I went to football camp again hoping to be able to play. I was told to speak with Josh, the athletic trainer, before I could pick up my football gear. I was brought to a room where I waited for a doctor. The doctor came in and told me that I was not allowed to play any contact sport ever again. I was extremely upset and didn’t understand why this would happen to me. I don’t know why they couldn’t give me another chance like they promised they would the previous fall.” •••

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the athlete,” said Walker. “It will also get the student-athlete out of that mindset of, ‘I’m only here for sports.’” Walker added that she believes having a Professional Dress Day will benefit student-athletes for the greater good. It will equip them for the future, she said, with a better wardrobe, which they can use for job interviews or in their career. She said she understands that with all of the new expectations it will take time for students to understand and adapt to them. What she hopes more than anything is that they understand that the new expectations are designed for the good of the student-athlete.

MatthewMainville