Law School Recipients
Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award
MATTHEW J. BANKER, LAW '01
Louisville
Matthew鈥檚 expertise in the nuances of college sports鈥� rules 鈥� he has worked for the NCAA and Ohio Valley Conference 鈥� makes him a key asset to the University of Louisville athletics department.
鈥淓ach day is unique,鈥� he says. 鈥淏eing part of the process that involves educating students and supporting their teams鈥� competitive ambitions is rewarding.鈥�
And, he adds, 鈥淕oing to sporting events as part of your job is a pretty good deal.鈥�
Matthew became Louisville鈥檚 associate athletic director for compliance in October 2013.
Before joining the Louisville staff, he was assistant commissioner for institutional services for the Ohio Valley Conference, which has 12 member institutions in five states. Matthew oversaw the conference's NCAA compliance operations, reviews and rules education to member schools. He also served as the conference鈥檚 representative on several NCAA committees.
Previously, Matthew was assistant dean for student affairs at the Indiana University School of Law. He worked at the NCAA after earning his J.D. from Marquette, first as associate director of membership services and later as associate director of academic review at the NCAA Eligibility Center.
A native of Wauwatosa, Wis., he was president of the St. Thomas More Society and a member of the Sports Law Society at Marquette. And his family鈥檚 ties to Marquette trace back several generations.
鈥淢y grandpa used to coach football 鈥� yes, football! 鈥� at Marquette,鈥� he says.
Hometown: Wauwatosa, Wis.
Dream dinner guest: 鈥淢y grandparents.鈥�
Marquette member who had an impact: 鈥淧aul Anderson from the Law School.鈥�
Career he aspired to in grade school: 鈥淔颈谤别蹿颈驳丑迟别谤.鈥�
Most influential person: 鈥淢y parents. They set the stage for me.鈥�
