May 18, 2004

By Robyn Hanson
Media Relations Student Assistant

It was just another day at Buck Shaw Stadium. The sun was shining and game two of the Santa Clara baseball team's weekend series against Saint Mary's was underway. All was running smoothly until a foul ball shot into the visiting dugout. SMC's head coach, Jedd Soto, was in the line of fire with no time to react and was struck on the head by the ball.

The Santa Clara Fire Department was the first to arrive on the scene. Such noble work these men do, serving and protecting their community. Who knew that former SCU baseball player, Matt Queen, would return to the very place he spent so many hours practicing and playing the game he loved in a much different uniform; that of a firefighter.

"I walked across the field like I had done so many times but now for a different reason. It was truly a surreal experience. It was something I had wondered if I would ever get to do, but I never actually thought it would happen," Queen remarked. "We got the call and were doing training; technically we were out of service, but my officer said we would respond. I thought it was crazy that we were actually going to Buck Shaw."

Such a long walk across the outfield wondering who was there and if anyone noticed him. "As soon as I got off the engine I saw someone I knew and didn't know if I should say hi. It was exciting getting to help out and see people, but also awkward having them know it was me."

After graduating from Santa Clara University in 2001, Matt entered the business world prepared to put his hard-earned, not to mention costly, finance degree to use.

Absolutely miserable after three months of work, he decided the office setting was not for him. Desiring something more fulfilling, Queen embarked upon a job search ending in a conversation with former teammate Dave Battagin who expressed his enjoyment of being a firefighter.

"The job description seemed to fit me perfectly," said Queen. "From that point on I started taking classes to get myself prepared. I had always been interested in firemen and all that they do. At Santa Clara, baseball was my main focus. When that ended, this seemed like the best fit."

Mike Theoharis, Queen's friend and fellow Bronco baseball alum, was not surprised with Queen's career choice.

"I could never picture him stuck in an office all day," said Theoharis, who currently serves as the director of baseball operations at the University of San Francisco. "That job takes courage and self sacrifice and Matt is someone that possesses those qualities. He seems like he would make the perfect fireman."

Surprisingly, only a couple of Queen's colleagues had any idea he played ball at Santa Clara. Queen explained how he is still in training and does not forward information that is not requested. "I'm trying to lay low and not make a big deal about anything right now. When they asked I told them but I didn't volunteer many specifics."

This seems to be typical of Queen, as Theoharis described him as never being one to behave like a "big leaguer."

"Matt is so laid back and really treated people how they deserved," said Theoharis. "He was always one of the top two or three players on the team, but never acted like it. If you saw him walking around campus, he never walked with that big time athlete strut."

Queen contributed four successful seasons of play for the Broncos earning West Coast Conference second-team and honorable mention recognition. Batting .356 his senior season, he helped lead the team to a first-place tie in the WCC's Coast Division, ending his career third in the league with doubles and second for runs batted in.

Theoharis, described Queen as his all-time favorite teammate.

"Aside from being a really good player, he had a strong work ethic," recalled Theoharis. "He was a leader by example and earned peoples' respect that way."

Queen's success at SCU lives on through his continued presence in the Bronco baseball record books. Holding strong in numerous career categories, Queen ranks third in career hits with 225, fourth in doubles with 49, fifth in total bases with 373, sixth in career at bats with 773, and eighth in extra base hits with 73. Single season rankings list him at fifth in doubles with 21 and tenth in RBI with 57.

"He's a smart, steady player with a high baseball IQ," Theoharis commented. "His teammates looked to him for leadership, as his steady demeanor helped the younger players learn how to approach competitors as well as how to handle success and failure."

A great student, top athlete and all around nice guy -- sounds like the perfect teammate. Theoharis laughed reminiscing about locker room memories. "His locker was next to mine and he was always really organized. Whenever my stuff would seep in to his area he would glare at me."

Queen still follows the team, as many of the guys he played with as a senior have now become seniors themselves. "I come to the games maybe once a month but always check how they're doing on the Internet." Watching his former teammates progress as professional baseball players brings back memories of being on the field as Queen misses the camaraderie of being with the guys.

Every little boy's hero, the image of a fireman suited up, prepared to serve and protect his community. Such training, diligence and hard work are involved in this laborious job, but the rewards of helping those in need last a lifetime. The perfect job for such a diligent, hard-working leader as Matt Queen.