MATT MOYNAHAN '92 -- "A LEADER ON the FIELD and A LEADER in the BUSINESS FIELD"

Head Coach Dick Farley with Matt Moynahan '92

In the fall of 1988 Matt Moynahan of Gloucester, MA showed up on the Williams College campus to play his first year of college football and he weighed in at a less than imposing 190 lbs. Not exactly the mold from which all great tight ends are cast.

Not many of Moynahan's teammates would have even joked that this young man would end up earning postseason honors, never mind making a dramatic impact.

"In my 29 years at Williams, Matt Moynahan, is by far the best all-around tight end we've had," said Head Coach Dick Farley. "He was a devastating blocker and an excellent receiver. He could catch the 8-10 yard waggle pass and turn it into a big gain and he ran the deepest routes of any tight end we've had. He was as solid in all phases as you can be at this level. He was a tremendous leader because he just did everything the right way."

Matt Moynahan graduated in 1992 with 72 career receptions for 974 yards and nine TDs and as the best combination of a blocking/receiver tight end the Ephs have had. An outstanding student, Matt made the District I All-Academic First Team.

"Matt was a solid student and football player who led by example on and off the field," notes Farley. "He came here as an undersized tight end prospect and through hard work and dedication he built himself up to be the best tight end we’ve ever had."

Moynahan was a three-time All-NESCAC choice, three-time All-ECAC New England selection and as a senior was named Honorable Mention AP All-New England (for all divisions).

Moynahan spent three years working for Goldman Sachs in New York and Los Angeles as a financial analyst immediately after graduating from Williams. He then joined OneWave, Inc. and coordinated their initial public offering plan to become listed on NASDAQ. When Moynahan left OneWave, Inc. it was to enroll at Harvard Business School. Since graduating from Harvard, Moynahan has served as the senior VP and GM of Reciprocal Publishing in Buffalo, NY. Moynahan is a recognized leader in digital rights management, has spoken at several major conferences and is frequently quoted in the most prominent business publications.

Moynahan sent a letter to Coach Farley a few years back and in it he stated his appreciation for the coach and Williams football.

"Coach Farley played as significant a role in my life as any Williams professor or Harvard Business School professor or business colleague. I have learned more real and tangible lessons about life through my Williams College football experience than I have learned in any classroom or client meeting.

Leadership, teamwork, character, dedication and commitment are all qualities that permeate the Williams football program and are some of the primary reasons the program has enjoyed such tremendous success. These qualities are not exclusively related to athletics, but are transferable to other areas of life and can play a major role in the relative success and happiness of an individual. I am thankful to the Williams College coaching staff for instilling these qualities in our team on a daily basis on the practice and game fields."

Moynahan brushes off his acclaim as a tight end and only grudgingly admits to having entertained thoughts of trying to make it with a NFL team as a free agent blocking back, but he will tell you he played on some great Williams teams. He was a key figure in the Ephs' first two perfect seasons.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the position of tight end, as it is a combination of both a receiver and lineman responsibilities. I got the same level of satisfaction from making a great block as I did a clutch reception. It was a great mixture of duties. I was fortunate that Williams had such a balanced attack with Dan Dwyer at quarterback and our stable of great running backs (Paul Reidy, Sean Rorke etc.). It didn't hurt to have the opportunity to play next to Andy Allen or Jim Roy when executing those "trey buddy" blocks on opposing defensive tackles...with those two on my side, it really wasn't fair."

It was Moynahan who caught the game-winning TD pass to edge Trinity 26-21 with just seconds remaining. That came after a miraculous onsides kick recovery by Eph legend Ted Rogers. Moynahan caught a Dan Dwyer pass on the three-yard line falling backwards and somehow managed to land in the end zone in 1989, as part of the first perfect season.

Moynahan broke the family mold by attending Williams as both his father and grandfather had attended Georgetown and young Matt had been a Hoya fan from day one. It was not an easy decision, at first. "However, it was Williams' sterling reputation for its academic program that first attracted my attention," said Moynahan. "While I had heard of the Williams football program, it was going through some tough years and just came off a 4-4 season in Coach Farley's first season. Once the academics lured me to make the trip to Williamstown, three things sold me almost immediately and made my decision easier: 1) the beauty of the Berkshires; 2) Coach Farley; and 3) the great guys I met on the football team during my visit. I was hosted by Matt Fair and crew. I knew there was no way that any other school could give me the academics, the setting, the coach, and the people. Georgetown could wait, the decision was easy."

Moynahan was part of the Ephs' New England Div. III record win streak that was snapped at 23 by Trinity his senior year. Trinity scored on the last play of a wild game to win 30-27. "I hate talking about this game, even to this day," said Moynahan. "I get some sickening visceral reaction whenever I think of the Trinity gold and blue. Clearly, Trinity provided our team with the best and worst of times during my career at Williams. I always looked forward to playing Trinity because I respected their talent and knew we would be in for a war (and a grudge match!). Each year the Trinity game came down to the last minute or so,, like two boxers standing toe-to-toe and just slugging it out punch for punch. It wasn't only the players that were competing, but the coaching staffs as well. Across the board it was a great match of talent and very different styles. I felt the exact opposite emotion when Trinity ended our winning streak, somewhat controversially, than I did when we beat Trinity on a last second touchdown and sack (by Teddy Rogers) my sophomore year. It was really quite disappointing. However, if you are going to end a streak, I guess that's the way to go. At least we can say that the fans got their money's worth, especially considering that students got in for free and adults only had to pay $3.00!"

A few years back Moynahan bought a home in Williamstown, right next door to the indomitable Renzie Lamb. "Williamstown is so meaningful to me, let alone such a beautiful place, that I decided I really wanted to be a formal part of the community," he said. "While I don't spend time there now given my travel and work schedule, I do plan on spending much more time in the Purple Valley in the near future. Williamstown is a special place to escape to. You can't help but feel at home and relaxed every time you return."