Matthew Hess

Matthew Hess was born in Ashland, Ohio, on February 13th, 1982, to Douglas and Rhonda Hess. He is a 2001 graduate of Ashland High School, a 2005 graduate of Cedarville University, and a 2010 graduate of the University of Dayton receiving his Masters Degree in Technology Enhanced Education. Matthew was one of three sons whom all played basketball at Ashland High School. Much of his childhood was spent playing basketball and other sports with his brothers and cousins in the backyards and driveways of their homes and on the farm of their grandparents, Robert and Rosemary Hess. He credits his love of sports to the countless hours spent competing with family members and the strong coaching influence of his father Doug, who was an 8th grade and Varsity Assistant basketball coach from 1978 to 2007 for Ashland. Matthew’s father Doug, his mother Rhonda, and his two brothers Andrew and Daniel greatly influenced him as a student, an athlete, and still continue to do so today.

Matthew’s passion for basketball and running continued throughout middle school and high school. He ran cross country, track, and played basketball, and as an 8th grader he broke the two mile school record in cross country. As a freshman, Matthew received a varsity letter in all three sports. He was a member of several conference and district championship teams in cross country and track, and he also ran at the cross country state meet as a junior in 1999.

One of Matthew’s greatest memories was the 2001 tournament run during his senior year. The Ashland community rallied around the team and showed tremendous support to help them win the first District basketball championship at Ashland High School since 1947. Matthew was the OHC Player of the Year, District 6 Player of the Year, and Honorable Mention in the State of Ohio. He was also the first four year Varsity Letterman at Ashland since 1956. Matthew accumulated 9 varsity letters and was a four year Scholar Athlete and the 2001 Athlete of the Year. Matthew’s athletic career in high school was marked by the support of his family and community. He is thankful to have been coached by his father, and also to play with his brother Andrew and his cousins Jason Hess, Mark Hess, and Nate Hess.

Matthew went on to be recruited to play basketball at Cedarville University. After a knee injury his freshman year, he ended his collegiate sports career. During college he married his high school sweetheart Lesley. Together they have three children, Caleb, Lily, and Benjamin, and live in Bellbrook, Ohio. Matthew currently teaches Chemistry at Centerville High School and enjoys leading high school aged students as a teacher and advisor. He also enjoys the opportunity to teach his own children the lessons and skills that were taught to him.

Matthew recognizes God’s sovereign hand in all of his life and is thankful for the blessing to be able to compete in athletics. He would like to thank his wife, parents, family, and all his coaches and teammates for their support, hard work, and guidance. The relationships he has formed over these years have influenced who he has become today and he is forever grateful to all of those who invested in him.