Service with PASSION…the words define the day to day efforts of Matt Cloud, Director of Athletics at Tahlequah. Who is this guy that’s always on the go determined to help others find success?
VYPE: Where did you go to high school? When did you graduate? What sports did you play?
Cloud: I graduated from Guthrie High School in 1994, where I played football and baseball. I signed with Connors State College out of high school.
VYPE: Where did you start your coaching career? Coaching what sports?
Cloud: I started my coaching career at Paris Junior college in 1998. I was a baseball coach. From there I went to NSU to finish my Master’s degree and I took my first Head coaching position in 2000 at Bacone College. From there I went to Iowa Wesleyan and Friends University before coming to Tahlequah HS.
VYPE: Do you have a coaching/teaching mentor? Someone you have looked up to for advice. Why?
Cloud: My Dad – Gil Cloud! He spent 52 years in athletics and coaching. I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t ask him for advice. I would also have to say Perry Keith (Connors State College). The guy is a winner. The thing both have in common is they have always preached accountability.
VYPE: What is the message to athletes at Tahlequah under your guidance and leadership?
Cloud: We are going to give every athlete an opportunity to succeed. We are going to do that by hard work and accountability. We have a great coaching staff that cares about our athletes and our town.
VYPE: Getting to know more about Matt Cloud on a personal level, where is your favorite place to eat dinner (Eating out)? What’s your choice from the menu?
Cloud: My favorite place to eat is El Vaquero here in Tahlequah. I order la bisteca Mexicana with jalapeños and an order of guacamole.
VYPE: What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing most on “Matt Time?”
Cloud: I have two things. I like to watch my daughter play softball all over the country and I love to go crappie fishing in the winter and spring.
VYPE: What is your favorite sports team from the college or pro ranks?
Cloud: OU Softball and OU Football
VYPE: What is your all-time favorite movie?
Cloud: I have two. Tombstone and Step Brothers
VYPE: What was the first music concert? When, where and who was the artist?
Cloud: Conway Twitty – Branson 1986
VYPE: Have you ever visited a foreign country? If so, where?
Cloud: We have been to Mexico two different times visiting Riviera Maya and Cozumel.
VYPE: Tell me what you have come to love the most about Tahlequah, your athletes and where the athletic program is headed?
Cloud: I love Tahlequah for the small-town feel. I met my wife here in 1997 and we always wanted to get back here. This Christmas we will be celebrating 24 years of marriage and we don’t want to live anywhere else.
I believe we have created a blue-collar culture that is indicative of hard work and resilience. We don’t have the best of anything but the coaching staff and myself work every day to ensure that the future is going to be bright for several years. I feel like when we get back to Class 5A we will have a solid program top to bottom in all sports.
VYPE: Who gets a big shout out from Tahlequah AD Matt Cloud?
Cloud: My big shout out goes to my wife Natalie and daughter Kylee Cloud. There are a lot of weeks where we don’t see one another until Saturday morning. Several 60-75 hour weeks, but they never complain about the time I spend with other people’s children. This isn’t a physical job but it is a long hour job and I couldn’t be more proud to lead the Tahlequah Tigers.
