Matt Schmitt’s passion for soccer – and his success as a player and later an executive at every level – makes him the perfect choice as the first MASHF inductee from the sport of soccer. Schmitt was a four-year letterwinner and all-state player at Reeths-Puffer, who secured first team All-Area status three straight years. He went on to play at the University of Michigan, where he moved into the starting lineup in his redshirt freshman season of 2007. Schmitt, a forward, scored three goals and added 11 assists in his senior season of 2010, helping the Wolverines to an appearance in Division I soccer’s “Final Four” for the first time in 11 years. Schmitt finished his U-M career with 11 goals and 31 assists. Schmitt was instrumental in bringing the Muskegon Risers professional indoor/outdoor soccer team to Muskegon in 2015, serving as a front office executive and coach. He then got back into uniform when the team needed some help on the forward line. Schmitt currently serves as the team’s director of operations.