Matt Whysong
Some diamonds take a little longer to polish, but their sparkle can often be the brightest.
Matt Whysong’s journey as an athlete was unique because a majority of his success came after his scholastic and college career had ended. Matt Whysong was a treasure during his high school career at Chestnut Ridge as a three-sport athlete. A 1988 alum, Whysong was a three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. A 1987 Mid-Penn All-Star and the 1987 Southern Alleghenies Football Coach’s Association’s Offensive MVP for football, he was also selected to the Ken Lantzy “Finest 40” All-Star football game in 1988.
Whysong attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for business management and decided to try to walk on the baseball team (Division II). He made the team as a freshman in 1989 and was redshirted.
In the summer of 1993, Whysong decided to try his hand at men’s fast-pitch softball as part of the Schellsburg Softball League. Little did he know that this decision would take him on a 24-year journey that would lead him all over the country. Locally, he would be a part of 15 Schellsburg Softball League Championships, 13 of them as a member of the Bedford Moose.
He also captured numerous titles at leagues in South Fork, Windber, and Ben’s Creek.
Whysong’s crowning achievements did not happen on the fields of Schellsburg, but on the grand stage of Amateur Softball Association’s (ASA) Men’s Fast-Pitch National Championships. In 1997, Whysong would capture the Class A Men’s Fast Pitch National Championship as a member of the DC Tire RoadRunners. The championships were held in Minot, North Dakota.
In 2004, Whysong captured another National Championship at the Class B level. This championship would be very sentimental as two of his brothers were also on the team (Scott and Greg Whysong) as well as several others from this area. The Whysong brothers claimed their National Championship in Garland, Texas as members of Kreider & Flick Painting.
In 2005 in Killeen, Texas, Whysong returned to Class A status as a member of Kreider & Flick Painting, and the team finished as national runner-up. His outstanding performance during the tournament lead to him being named a Class B First Team All-American Selection.
Whysong played in 15 national championship tournaments in his career. Whysong also received individual ASA All-American honors as a Class B Second Team (2002); Class C Second Team (2009); and Class C First Team” (2010) at the ASA national championship tournaments.
Championships do not come easy; in fact they demand a special group of people working as a unit. Look over rosters at the local level or even national level, and Matt Whysong’s name will appear. It becomes apparent he was a key piece to many of the team’s successes. Championship teams solidify the qualities of teamwork and require strong leadership. Matt Whysong’s presence on so many championship rosters indicates that he exudes those qualities to the highest standard.
Whysong graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is employed by Corle Building Systems. He is the son of Ronald and Barbara Whysong of Osterburg. Matt and his wife, Bernadette, live in Pavia with their two sons, Matt and Nate.
Some diamonds take a little longer to polish, but their sparkle can often be the brightest.
Matt Whysong’s journey as an athlete was unique because a majority of his success came after his scholastic and college career had ended. Matt Whysong was a treasure during his high school career at Chestnut Ridge as a three-sport athlete. A 1988 alum, Whysong was a three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. A 1987 Mid-Penn All-Star and the 1987 Southern Alleghenies Football Coach’s Association’s Offensive MVP for football, he was also selected to the Ken Lantzy “Finest 40” All-Star football game in 1988.
Whysong attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for business management and decided to try to walk on the baseball team (Division II). He made the team as a freshman in 1989 and was redshirted.
In the summer of 1993, Whysong decided to try his hand at men’s fast-pitch softball as part of the Schellsburg Softball League. Little did he know that this decision would take him on a 24-year journey that would lead him all over the country. Locally, he would be a part of 15 Schellsburg Softball League Championships, 13 of them as a member of the Bedford Moose.
He also captured numerous titles at leagues in South Fork, Windber, and Ben’s Creek.
Whysong’s crowning achievements did not happen on the fields of Schellsburg, but on the grand stage of Amateur Softball Association’s (ASA) Men’s Fast-Pitch National Championships. In 1997, Whysong would capture the Class A Men’s Fast Pitch National Championship as a member of the DC Tire RoadRunners. The championships were held in Minot, North Dakota.
In 2004, Whysong captured another National Championship at the Class B level. This championship would be very sentimental as two of his brothers were also on the team (Scott and Greg Whysong) as well as several others from this area. The Whysong brothers claimed their National Championship in Garland, Texas as members of Kreider & Flick Painting.
In 2005 in Killeen, Texas, Whysong returned to Class A status as a member of Kreider & Flick Painting, and the team finished as national runner-up. His outstanding performance during the tournament lead to him being named a Class B First Team All-American Selection.
Whysong played in 15 national championship tournaments in his career. Whysong also received individual ASA All-American honors as a Class B Second Team (2002); Class C Second Team (2009); and Class C First Team” (2010) at the ASA national championship tournaments.
Championships do not come easy; in fact they demand a special group of people working as a unit. Look over rosters at the local level or even national level, and Matt Whysong’s name will appear. It becomes apparent he was a key piece to many of the team’s successes. Championship teams solidify the qualities of teamwork and require strong leadership. Matt Whysong’s presence on so many championship rosters indicates that he exudes those qualities to the highest standard.
Whysong graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is employed by Corle Building Systems. He is the son of Ronald and Barbara Whysong of Osterburg. Matt and his wife, Bernadette, live in Pavia with their two sons, Matt and Nate.
Class of 2018
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania