On December 22, we will be celebrating my son's birthday. Selfless is an understatement when I think about my son, Matt Espinoza. He acquired his nickname "Noza" back when he was in high school. Wow, where have the years gone?
Coach Noza attended several grade schools in the NE Salem area back in the 1990s. Scott, Hayesville, and Yoshikai Elementary. He was one of the first kids to experience year-round school at Yoshikai. Later, we had a new home built in the McNary High School district. He attended Whiteaker Middle School and later enrolled at McNary High School, which had an attendance of over 2,000 students. He helped the 2002-2003 Celtics finish fourth at the OSAA 6A Basketball State Tournament. He played with a record-setting team and earned his way to play basketball on a full scholarship at Southwestern Oregon Community College and then was recruited by Southern Oregon University to play for the Raiders in Ashland, Oregon.
Trust me when I tell you it was not an easy task, he had to work for what he got. Noza was only 5' 7" as a freshman in high school -- he almost got cut from the team. As the years went by, I don't know anyone that worked as hard as he did on his skill set, weight training, diet, etc. By the time he was a senior, his body had stretched out to 6' 4". All of his skills came together and he was a strong contributor playing under Jim Litchfield at McNary High School.
Under Head Coach Joel Perkins at Southwestern Oregon C. C., out of nowhere, he resonated through hard work, as the three-point sharpshooter of the NWAACC (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges). In 2006, he helped the Lakers advance to the NWAACC Championships. While at SWOCC, he attracted attention from several Division II and III Universities, Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana; Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon; Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR; Willamette University in Salem, OR, and a few other universities from California.
In 2006 he signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Southern Oregon University under Brian McDermott. What a blessing that decision was. Noza went on to help the SOU Raiders advance to the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Point Lookout, Missouri. He set two three-point shooting records while at SOU and he received the 2007 Daktronics-NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. The last term of college he maintained a 4.0 GPA.
In one of the Ashland newspaper articles his head coach was interviewed. I knew Matt was a great shooter, but to hear words from his college coach, well, it was definitely a special moment in my life. I felt blessed and humbled to be his dad.
"He is the best three-point shooter I've had in my tenure of coaching," Brain McDermott said.
Matt went on to play two years of minor-league professional basketball. He had a scheduled tryout with the Portland Trailblazers, but when they recruited, Greg Oden, they cancelled the tryout.
The first book I wrote, in 2008, was about my son, "Noza: A True Basketball Success Story". I wrote it to encourage parents, and to encourage young basketball players (because of what Noza went through) to not give up. Noza overcame so many obstacles. I guess that's why I felt the passion to write the book.
When I witnessed what Noza did, I made a decision to become an author. This story was worth writing for me -- a passion. I guess I would have to say that he inspired me to become an author. And now he's always giving me writing tips and serves as my content editor at times.
Coach Noza has a college degree in communications journalism; a masters degree in education; certified as a strength and conditioning trainer; math certificate for teaching; certified in weightlifting training, etc. He's always learning and expanding his knowledge in many areas.
In 2008, Noza became the assistant coach at McNary and then the head coach at McNary for two years before landing a job at McKay and becoming the assistant varsity coach. He now teaches at Richmond Elementary and coaches at McKay High School.
Matt Espinoza coaching at McKay with Dean Sanderson. Photo by David Espinoza.
This is a brief description of my son's journey in basketball and accomplishments. I'm sure he has done more that I don't know about yet. I usually find out sooner or later. Just recently he started a Player's Podcast to help young athletes improve by hearing sound advice from different coaches, athletes, teachers, etc. He interviews the people and does all the work to put the sound clip together.
I know that as a dad I did the best I could to set an example for him and to teach him life skills the best I knew how. To tell you the truth, I have learned more from him throughout the years. It's humbling to say that he is my son. I'm so proud of him for all the work he does for others.
During the off-season, you can find him at the gym working with his young basketball players, two at a time (whatever the rules are), at McKay High School. He also directs basketball clinics in different towns.
In 2012 my son approached me about an idea he had for the Salem community. He wanted to give back to the community and to provide free basketball skill-set training for kids that couldn't afford expensive camps or private lessons. We talked about it for a bit. I knew that it was a big commitment and something he had never done before. I asked him how I could help and I supported him on his idea. He explained a few things and I listened.
Coach Noza founded Salem Hoops Project, a non-profit organization. If you go out to the website www.salemhoopsproject.org , you'll get a better description of what this program is all about. Coach Noza is the executive director and trainer, I'm the director of operations, and Jordan Carter is the treasurer.
Coach Noza, the founder of Salem Hoops Project. This was at a clinic in Salem, Oregon.
Noza organizes the basketball clinics, sets up the clinic plans, notifies the volunteers needed, answers questions for parents, and does many more things for the program. He tries to schedule them when the McKay High School gym is available during the fall, winter, spring, and summer. If you register your child through the website, you will get an email informing you when the next clinic or clinic series are taking place. The times can vary, so it's important that you receive his emails.
Matt Espinoza married his wife, Bethany, in 2014. She has been a blessing to him and to all of us in the family. She is an understanding wife to him and supports him. She was an athlete in high school and at George Fox University, so they compliment each other well.
I caught up with Bethany and asked her to share a few words about Matt.
Bethany says, "Oh my goodness, where do I begin. So many people know Matt as a coach, teacher, mentor, etc. For me, I get to see him day in and day out as husband and best friend. So, a few things about Matt that I am sure others see as well are, selflessness; humility; servant's heart; disciplined; wise; gentle and kind; creative; loyal; peaceful; consistent, and so many more. Matt consistently is bettering himself in leadership and other things not for his own benefit, but to help others. He will never shine light on himself for any of it. He just simply wants to love and serve people well. He lives out his walk with Jesus in his actions on a daily basis and it's so fun to be part of it all! I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that it's such a blessing to be married to someone with this level of integrity. Matt is the kind of man who is unabashedly himself and isn't afraid to live a life of kindness, selflessness, and gentleness. He goes above and beyond for others and takes risks so others may flourish and know they are seen and not just an afterthought. I just love him so much and am thankful I get to be his wife!"
Bethany and Matt. Photo provided by Bethany Espinoza.
I want to wish my son a happy birthday on December 22nd, and I want to tell him how proud I am of the young man he has become. Thank you, Coach Noza, for all the things you do for me, your family, and for our community. You display unconditional love in every way possible. I love you son, God bless you.