Where Are They Now?

Matt Addington

Men's Soccer, 1982-85

Through his outstanding years of playing men's soccer for the University of Connecticut, Matt Addington attributes his individual success out of college to what he learned on the field: discipline, humility, hard work and a team player attitude.

Addington, 43, has traveled around the world for the United States government for the past 21 years.  Today, he is located in Boston working as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New England Field Division of Drug Enforcement Administration.  Here, he is in charge of operations including financial investigations in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and parts of Massachusetts.

The former UConn forward began playing soccer at age nine in McLean, Va., with another former Husky teammate Eric Myren. He played in high school at Bishop O’Connell in Arlington, Va., where he earned four letters in both soccer and track and field.

While deciding on where to go for college, the choice was not hard for Addington, who looked at UConn for its outstanding academics and program.

“At the time, they [UConn] were the number one team in the country,” he said. 

Also, after hearing Myren speak so well of it, Addington was convinced.

In his four years of playing for UConn, he started in 96 of 98 contests.  Coming out of college with 52 goals and 23 assists, he became the fourth-leading scorer in school history with 127. With these stats, Addington and his team were able to experience four straight NCAA playoff berths.

Along with his accomplishments within UConn, he was an All- American pick, a two-time BIG EAST All-Tournament pick and a three-time All-New England pick.

Because the North American Soccer League (NASL) had folded in 1985, Addington did not pursue soccer after college.

“I didn’t want to play indoor soccer,” said Addington. “and I was offered to work for the U.S. Government.”

That has not stopped Addington from playing soccer. Going from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale to Bogotá, Colombia to Lima, Peru to Washington D.C. to Raleigh, N.C. to Mexico City, Mexico and now Boston, the former husky has traveled the world, and at each of those places has played on a team.

“I attribute all my success with family and work to the strong foundation from UConn,” Addington said.  “I give the soccer program a lot of credit.  Ultimately, I have been extremely blessed with family, coaches and the university.”

Addington currently resides in Windham, N.H. with his wife Caroline and his two girls Jordan, 8, and Alexandra, 9.

--Naomi Smith