Current time in Baltimore 5:04 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2008
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Returning for his fourth season as an assistant, Matt Kovarik came to Loyola after time as both a student-athlete and coach in the Maryland Terrapins program.
Kovarik was in his third season as an assistant alongside Jimmy Patsos at Maryland when he decided to follow him to Loyola after Patsos' appointment in April 2004. During those three seasons in College Park (2001-04), Kovarik helped guide the Terrapins to a 73-26 record, three NCAA Tournament berths, an ACC regular-season championship (2002), an ACC Tournament Championship (2004) and the 2002 NCAA Championship.
The first player in Maryland history to play on five straight teams that finished in the top half of the ACC, Kovarik appeared in 129 games during his career (1993-98) and all five teams participated in the NCAA Tournament, including three Sweet 16 appearances. The Terrapins were 103-55 during that span and the 1995 team was co-regular season champions of the ACC. His game total ranks among the top 10 in Maryland history, trailing elite company such as Juan Dixon, Steve Blake, Lonny Baxter and Len Bias in the record books.
An honorable mention selection for the ACC All-Freshman team, Kovarik was named to the conference's all-academic team following the 1996-97 season. He was a three-time recipient of the Maryland men's basketball scholar-athlete award.
Following commencement, Kovarik worked for the Xerox Corporation in New York City for two years, eventually returning to his alma mater. Upon his appointment at Loyola, he continued studies at the University of Maryland Law School in Baltimore and was graduated in July 2007.
The Greensboro, N.C., native attended Grimsley HS where he was a three-year starter at shooting guard and backcourt teammate of former Loyola Greyhounds guard Milt Williams.
