Double Ping Pong Record Holder, NBA Star and Former Club Kid, Matt Bonner, Shares his Advice With the Class of 2020

After Matt Bonner won two, yes, two ping pong titles at the Boys & Girls Club in his hometown of Concord, New Hampshire and before his two NBA National Championship titles, Matt hit a road full of adversity.  

Although drafted to an NBA team after college, Matt didn’t make the roster. But instead of giving up, he found himself in Italy, playing basketball without pay, driving a tiny car, living in a tiny apartment in a country where he didn’t know the language, for a league that was on the verge of bankruptcy. 

Matt said, “Life is less what happens to you, but more about how you react to it.”

He decided to do exactly what he’s asking of this year’s graduating seniors. “Trust your foundation and trust the fundamental principles that are responsible for personal success: focus, perseverance, hard work, discipline, helping others and a positive attitude.”

As a Club kid, you’ve learned the value of hard work, the importance of being a good person, being a good teammate, being a leader, being a productive member of a community. You’ve learned how to pivot and adapt to change. You’ve learned how to win and you’ve learned how to lose. But most importantly you’ve learned how to do whatever it takes to keep going, to keep pushing forward towards your goals and dreams.  

You have put in years of hard work to achieve this important milestone in life, and rest assured that nothing, not even the coronavirus can diminish that achievement.

Celebrate the Class of 2020

Graduation may look different this year, but it is not cancelled for all the Club seniors who’ve beaten the odds to get here. As we continue to help make graduation possible for more kids, help celebrate this year’s graduates by signing their graduation card.