Lehigh University Athletics
Logie helps turn the program around
9/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The statistics and accolades speak for themselves: Patriot League All-Rookie team, two-time All Patriot League second team member, 1,000-point scorer and - perhaps most importantly - two-year elected captain. When he left the Seattle airport for the first time in the fall of 1999, senior Matt Logie had one thing on his mind: to turn the Lehigh basketball program around. "I thought Lehigh was the type of school that could, and should, have a good basketball program," Logie said. "I wanted to make an impact here and be part of turning things around." While the path to "turning around" the Lehigh basketball team hasn’t been nearly as direct as the many flights from Logie’s home in Mercer Island, Washington to his second home at Lehigh, it does appear that Logie’s goal is starting to be realized. Logie and his Mountain Hawk teammates have already won 14 games and own the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I at +9 games. "When I signed to come to Lehigh I wasn’t really scared about being so far away from home," said Logie who enjoys a very close and comfortable relationship with his parents and seven-year-old sister Kelly. "I always felt that Lehigh would become my second home and it really has, especially this year. Coach (Billy) Taylor has been able to put everything into place for me and my teammates." Logie was the first men’s basketball player to receive a scholarship at Lehigh. The public relations major received the complimentary education based not only on his athletics ability, choosing Lehigh over Northern Arizona and Davidson, among others, but also because of his high academic standing at basketball crazed Mercer Island, a top academic school in a state that emphasizes education. In high school Logie played on a nationally ranked team and averaged 18 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game during his senior campaign. As a senior at Mercer Island, Logie led his squad to a state championship while notching a 3.6 grade point average. He was the captain of his team along with earning All King County, All East Side, and first team all state honors. "Early in my career at Lehigh I felt I had something to prove," Logie recently said. "I don’t think it was necessarily the scholarship, but yes I did, and still do, feel an obligation to maximize my talents athletically and academically. I think people produce better when they are driven, whether it be on the court or off. Are there certain standards I need to live up to? Yes and rightly so. But, I’ve always had standards to live up to." Logie played in high school for his grandfather, Ed Pepple, a legendary west coast basketball figure who has sent numerous players to NCAA Division I programs. At times that was difficult, but Logie stuck to a simple philosophy to help get him through the tough times. "It was a good experience to play for my grandfather," Logie said. "He taught me a lot about adversity and how to overcome it. People said I was not good enough and he helped me live up to his expectations. "What high school taught me is not to worry about what other people might say as long as what you truly believe you are doing is right. Commitment, loyalty and friendship are traits I value more than anything. One of the biggest challenges of anyone during a lifetime is to be able to handle adversity. My family is very important to me and they are always there to support me. I would like to think that has helped me throughout my time at Lehigh and that in turn I have been able to help my teammates get through difficult times." Loyalty and commitment are two words that immediately come to mind when Matt Logie’s name is mentioned to teammates and those who know him best. After a difficult junior season Logie stayed committed to his goal of turning around the Lehigh program and this year he is living his goal. "The Lafayette game (several weeks ago) was special because as a program we wanted to get to that point," he said. "The support from our students and the atmosphere was something I always wanted to be a part of at Stabler Arena. Even the Dartmouth game this year was special for me. I think I realized then that this would be my last chance and to win that game signaled the start of something really positive in my senior year." "Matt’s game has been given a shot in the arm under coach Taylor," says senior teammate Zlatko Savovic. "Last year he shot a lot of perimeter jumpers. Coach has helped Matt create for others as well as himself. Matt drives into the lane more this season and has become a much more complete player than he was last year." Consistent with his principles and attitude in high school, Logie relishes his role on this year’s team. Although he is the team’s leading scorer he is now just one member of an entire team and gets as much satisfaction out of watching teammates succeed as he does with his own success. "When you have a reputation you always get more attention whether it be on the court or in the press," he says. "My main goal always has been to do whatever it takes to win. Guys in our program now are really stepping up and that’s great to see. Still when I’m called on to make a play I’m very comfortable with that." "Matt is a character young man and he has been one of the biggest factors in helping make the transition for players and coaches so much smoother," head coach Billy Taylor said when asked about one of the Patriot League’s top scorers. "I only wish I could coach Matt for a full four years because he truly is a great kid and a leader on and off the floor." Though four more years of Matt Logie is something neither Taylor nor Lehigh fans will get to see, Logie does plan on sticking around for the remainder of the regular season and then heading into the Patriot League Tournament with a good seed, a solid game plan and aspirations to lead Lehigh to places they never thought they could go this season. That’s the turnaround Matt Logie aims to see.
