Rowan College Tennis Courts Named for Beloved Teacher and Coach

SALISBURY, NC (WBTV) — The tennis courts at Knox Middle School in Salisbury have been named in honor and memory of coach Matthew Beaver. On Saturday, a baptism ceremony took place at the school.

Beaver died of COVID in January 2021.

A large number of family members, friends, colleagues and former students and tennis players turned out to see the inauguration of the newly renovated courts.

“We still miss Matt every day,” Beaver’s father Dale Beaver said. “To miss Matt is to love him.”

Beaver thanked the coaches and everyone involved in fundraising to raise the collections to renovate all three courts.

Matt’s faith was an important part of his life. Several speakers spoke about how Matt demonstrated his Christian faith in all aspects of his life.

“If Matt was here, he wouldn’t care about the names of the courts,” Dale Beaver said, pointing out that Matt would be more concerned about the kids playing on the courts.

“Matt was a fighter and he didn’t give up easily,” Beaver added. “He wanted every child who wanted to play to have the opportunity to participate. Matt will love the life of these children. Steal Trojans, steal.

The Rowan-Salisbury School System issued a statement at the time of Beaver’s death saying, “It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of one of our educators, Mr. Matthew Beaver. Rowan-Salisbury Schools sends its deepest condolences to the Beaver family and to the staff and students of Knox Middle School.

Beaver graduated from East Rowan High School in 1999. He later graduated from Piedmont Bible College and High Point University with degrees in health and physical education. Matthew was a member of the Piedmont Bible College basketball team.

He was recognized by High Point University as an Outstanding Student Teacher of Spring 2006 and Outstanding Physical Education Major. Beaver taught physical education and coached basketball and tennis at Knox and was a member of Charity Baptist Church in Kannapolis.

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