Skidmore Spotlight: Matt Chatham

Matt Chatham works as a strength and conditioning coach for Skidmore Athletics. In his fourth year at Skidmore, he designs and implements training sessions for all 19 varsity athletic teams, both in and out of season, to develop strength, speed, endurance and injury prevention related to each sport.

Prior to Skidmore, Chatham was an athletic trainer at Bridgewater State University, his alma mater, and a strength and conditioning intern at the College of Holy Cross, as well as a personal trainer at Vent Fitness in Clifton Park. 

On why he joined Skidmore, Chatham said, “I knew I wanted to work in a Division III setting. I feel a more intimate sense of community here. Competition and winning are fun of course, but the rewarding part is influencing someone’s life in a way that the experience will better them as a person.”

Chatham continued, “I truly enjoy helping others in any capacity, and Skidmore enables me to do that every day.” That includes faculty and staff as well: “Everyone that I’ve had some type of interaction with has been great and helpful in some way or another.”

In terms of Skidmore life, Chatham said he’s a big fan of the men’s and women’s basketball annual event, the Big Green Scream, “It’s awesome to see the stands filled with cheering students demonstrating the pride that they have for the college.”

When it comes to life outside of work, Chatham said he likes to practice what he preaches: “My biggest passion is actually working out, big surprise. I pride myself on living a healthy and fit lifestyle. I even have an entire gym in my house because I enjoy it so much.”