Dave Matter Named Assistant AD for Communications and Storytelling

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Award-winning sportswriter Dave Matter was named Assistant AD for Communications and Storytelling, University of Missouri Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois announced. 

Matter, a Mizzou alum and St. Louis native, joins the department after more than two decades on the Tigers’ beat for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Columbia Daily Tribune. 

He will take on a multi-faceted role in athletics expanding Mizzou’s storytelling and communications efforts across all platforms.

“As we looked to add to our leadership team, we sought to add a dynamic storyteller to help us better express our brand – and we look forward to having someone of Dave Matter’s caliber joining our team.” Reed-Francois said. “I have gotten to know Dave and seen his work ethic first-hand over the last two years and know his dedication, drive and institutional knowledge will help impact our department and the Mizzou community as a whole. We are proud to welcome Dave, his wife Molly, and their sons, Jackson, Connor and William, to our Tigers family.”

“This is an incredible thrill to join Mizzou Athletics at such an exciting time,” Matter said. “I’ve had the opportunity to chronicle Mizzou teams, student-athletes, coaches and campus leaders for almost a quarter-century, and it’s remarkable to see the energy and momentum Desireé and her team have generated these past two years. It’s an honor to join those efforts and bring a fresh voice to share the stories that make Mizzou Athletics truly unique and special. My wife, Molly, and our three boys are excited to become part of the Mizzou family. Columbia has been home to the Matters, and now we’re proud to call MU our home, too.”

Named the Football Writers Association Steve Ellis Beat Writer of the Year in 2021, Matter’s time covering Mizzou Athletics dates to his student days at the University. He has adapted and innovated through his career, turning beat coverage from writing game stories to producing features, analysis pieces, columns, hosting online chats, podcasts and a weekly statewide TV show covering Mizzou Athletics.

Additionally, he served as an adjunct instructor at the MU School of Journalism – teaching an introduction to writing course. While with the Post-Dispatch, Matter revived the paper’s campus correspondent’s job, giving Mizzou students an opportunity to cover the Tigers while still in school. 

Matter has won writing awards in the FWAA Best Writing Contest and others: Associated Press Sports Editors Top Ten twice and National Sports Media Association three times. He has had three books published, including “The 100-Yard Journey: A Life in Coaching and Battling for the Win” (Triumph Books), co-authored with former Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, whom he covered from 2001 to 2015.

Dave and his wife, Molly, a Columbia native, have three sons, Jackson (13), Connor (13) and William (7).

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