Matt Shank
When the Coupeville School District hired a new superintendent, it also got some talented athletes in the deal.
While Dr. Jim Shank has made the jump from Juab, Utah to heading up the local education establishment, his sons Matt, a junior, and Brian, a freshman, have started the transition by joining the Wolf football squad.
Matt Shank, a receiver, has height and reach, things that helped him quite a bit back in Juab as a basketball player.
His former coach there, Jake Downard, said at the time of his departure, “Matt is a great kid, sad to see him go. He is a big kid with lots of potential. He was a good defender and rebounder. He was well liked by his teammates and by his peers at the school.”
His combination of hustle and friendliness has already won over fans in his new home, and Shank said he has felt welcomed from the start.
“The transition from Juab to Coupeville has been great, the people here are really nice,” Shank said. “As an athlete there has been changes as expected, but I was pleasantly surprised with the team so far, great coaching and great chemistry with the players.”
The fourth of six Shank children, Matt first picked up the competitive football bug in sixth grade, and with one year off in the middle, is now in his fifth year of tearing up the gridiron.
“I started because I’ve always liked football and saw an opportunity to try it in “little league,” and I have enjoyed it ever since,” Shank said.
While he has great potential on the offensive side of the ball, it’s actually defense that draws the most interest from him.
“I enjoy the fun that the team has as a group, and success is always fun to experience, but what I find to be the most fun is defense,” Shank said. “I think that I’m a fast learner and can adapt quickly; I’d like to work on my offensive skills.
“My goals are to start as much as possible on offense and defense and show the coaches I’m a valuable player and of course as many wins as possible and make it to the playoffs,” he added.
In Utah, he was a man for all seasons. Organized sports or hitting the trails on his snowboard, Shank has always been active.
“In Juab I tried about everything,” he said. “Football, basketball, track, golf, soccer and baseball.
“I’ve enjoy everything I’ve played but the top two are definitely football and basketball and spring has always been track,” he added. “But we’ll see how it goes.”
When he’s not playing sports, Shank enjoys messing around with his guitar and spending time with his family. One part of that family, his father, has had a huge impact on him, on the playing field and off.
“I’d have to thank my dad for the time he’s put in to make me a better athlete when I was younger,” Shank said. “Both of my parents have been great, also I had some great teammates in Utah that really helped and glad I had the chance to play with them.
“My dad has always had a strong interest in basketball, as he played in Longview during his high school career,” he added. “He has helped me out a lot with my form, shot, defense and other skills.”
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