Day 13: Matt Barsamian '07

Matt Barsamian in 2006 (CREDIT: Columbia Athletics)

Most good teams have a number of players who act as leaders on and off the field. Matt Barsamian was one of those players for the surprising 2006 Lions, who came out of nowhere to post a .500 season.

Barsamian came to Columbia in 2003 as a 6-2, 250 pounder from football-rich Rochester, Michigan. He starred as an offensive and defensive lineman for Rochester Adams High. Matt also was key player on the basketball team.

Then Head Coach Bob Shoop realized Barsamian's talents right away during his freshman season and put him into four games at offensive guard. The following season, he made seven starts.

In 2005 he was the only CU O-lineman coming into the season with any startig experience. But Barsamian persevered, and he was elected team captain the following spring.

Going into senior season, Matt was up to 275 pounds and an inch taller at 6-3. He had the mental stature to match.

In 2006, Matt led his fellow linemen through the transition process to a new head coach, and then led them through a season that saw one of the worst offensive lines in the Ivies move up to more than just a level of respectability in just one year.

For his efforts, especially the job he did in helping Columbia win its last two games against Cornell and Brown, Barsamian was named to the All Ivy First team.

Today Matt is working in the investment banking field in New York.