Matt Baker surprised himself by deciding on a school in West Virginia.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published May 13, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Matt Baker had plenty of suitors.
The River Ridge senior kicker had scholarship offers from Delaware State, Howard, Mississippi Valley State, Robert Morris and Iona, just to name a few of the schools interested.
But when the offer came to visit Division-II Concord College in West Virginia, Baker figured, thanks but no thanks.
"They weren't even on my list," Baker said.
"I was only going up there for a free visit."
He came back a recruit.
Baker signed with the Mountain Lions, accepting a full athletic scholarship to play football.
He said he appreciated the football and academic atmosphere of the school.
Baker, who wants to major in business management, also aspires to kick in the pros.
"I got up there and met with the coaches and the team, and I felt I would get a lot better if I went up there," he said. "Academically, they're up there with FSU and UF."
Plus, the actual atmosphere of the campus proved alluring to the kid from Florida.
"There's so much to do up there," Baker said. "I can go hiking in the mountains, whitewater rafting and there's even skiing in the winters."
Baker was called up to the Royal Knights varsity midway through his sophomore season and has started since. As a senior he was selected as the Times All-Pasco County first-team kicker.
He was 9 of 11 on field-goal attempts this season, and his longest kicks were from 42 yards. His two misses were from 45 and 56 yards, he was 20 of 21 on extra-point attempts and 12 of his 32 kickoffs were touchbacks.
River Ridge coach Mike DeGennaro said Baker, who missed only one extra-point attempt in his career, should do well at the next level.
"Matt was very consistent, and he did a great job for us," DeGennaro said. "I'd say we'd miss him tremendously if I didn't think his brother Cameron (a sophomore) has as much potential as he does.
"He's consistent, a hard worker and a fun kid to be around. I'm sure he's going to do great in college."
Baker, a defender on the soccer team, also was named to the All-SAC squad. But he said he'll forego soccer to concentrate on football.
"I played club soccer year-round and I played high school soccer," he sad. "I feel like I'm going to get a lot better if I'm just a kicker.
"I was really concentrating on going to the Division I level, but it's no different.
"As a kicker it's all stats, and I'll get to start as a freshman up there.
