Not only has the opening of the fall semester brought new students to campus, but Western New England University is happy to welcome back a new yet familiar face to the athletics department. Matt LaBranche, a former baseball coach who spent fourteen years coaching at WNE, returned to his old stomping grounds in early July as the new Athletic Director for the Golden Bears.
Beginning his coaching career here in 2000 after graduating and playing baseball for Springfield College, LaBranche led his squad to 10 NCAA tournaments as well as to the Division III World Series in 2011. After the 2013 season, he transitioned to working for Eastern Connecticut State University where he served as the head baseball coach for five seasons. He also took up a range of different volunteer opportunities, including assisting with game operations, working extensively with the Title IV committee, and coordinating travel for athletic teams.
Despite his time at another university, LaBranche never lost the vision of what Western New England and the athletics program are all about. “I like the shared vision of the athletic department and the university at large,” he explains. “The athletic department provides the best student-athlete experience as possible, and how they work to elevate the student athlete experience attracts me the most.”
LaBranche is happy to be back with the students and faculty that make up the Golden Bear family. He reflects on the influential relationships he has made through the last fifteen years, whether it be with the other athletic staff, baseball alumni, or faculty across campus. “Moving into administration was always a goal of mine, so when I had the opportunity to go back to a place that was close to me and meant a lot to me, I took it,” LaBranche states.
Moving into a new position, whether it be on a sports team, in a club, or a new job, always has challenges and obstacles along the way; however, due to his past experiences here, Matt LaBranche already has a unique vision of what he wants to do to impact the athletics department. His main goal is to keep improving the student-athlete experience that he finds so crucial, and he’s spending the first six months of his time assessing areas that can be altered to do just that. He’s also looking to define administrative roles to help both coaches and athletes through their journey at Western New England.
Another thing LaBranche is looking to do is create a trusting relationship with each athletic team. The new athletic director made it a point to meet with each fall sports team and coaching staff during their preseason. During their encounter, he personally introduced himself to each individual and shared his interest in helping them succeed as much as possible during their season. He will also be meeting with the winter and spring sports teams in the future to share that same mentality with them.
Attendance at sports game is another one of the perks of LaBranche being our athletic director. He isn’t just a person you see in the athletic office or around the Alumni Healthful Living Center every once in awhile; he looks to attend as many sports games as possible. He even spent a chunk of time at the Women’s Soccer’s first game of the season on September 5 against Springfield College.
LaBranche is looking to be a friendly face on campus, and he wants to build even more lasting relationships with students and staff in the upcoming year. He is also extremely open to feedback and conversation from all. “I would want anybody on campus to feel like they can have a conversation with me either about athletics, or recreation, or using our facility. I want anybody to approach me to give me feedback about how we are serving the community.”
Western New England is glad to welcome a former staff member back to campus after spending some time away, and LaBranche is just another example that once you are a Golden Bear, you’ll always be a Golden Bear.
