Q&A with Grafton girls basketball coach Matt D鈥橝mato
GRAFTON, Wis. — During the 2021-2022 season, Matt D’Amato–Grafton’s Varsity girls basketball coach–led his team to a 16-6 winning record with a number of decisive victories over local opponents.
Throughout his 11-year coaching career, some of D’Amato’s proudest moments have been the girls grow and succeed. He says, “At Grafton, it warms my heart to see the girls who put their heart and soul into the game of basketball and get offers to play at the next level. In general, I love watching them succeed, whether it be on the basketball court, the soccer pitch, track, volleyball court, or in school. I truly want the best for these girls, and seeing them achieve great things will never get old.”
Before coming to Grafton, Coach D’Amato played basketball at Notre Dame High School for Boys in Illinois. Later, he had the privilege to coach the Marquette Women’s Club Basketball Team to a National Championship in 2012. He explains that he then he went on to spend “three years at Whitefish Bay as JV Head Coach, two years at Port Washington as Varsity Assistant, and now four seasons with Grafton.”
As the 2022-2023 season begins, Coach D’Amato says that the team has had great participation in off-season workouts and open gyms. He continues, “I’m excited to not only see the girls putting in the hard work, but also being involved with the youth program.”
What are one or two things your team does in training that are keys to their success?
Matt D’Amato: Off-season shooting and conditioning and an Overnight Team Camp at UW-Stevens Point that emphasizes team building and chemistry.
What are you looking forward to seeing from this team this year?
D’Amato: Our program this year is FULL of young ladies with great Character. They are positive, energetic, fun, and truly want their teammates to succeed. I can’t wait to see what they can accomplish as a group.
Please share a memorable moment from last season:
D’Amato: Last season, during our first-round playoff game, one of our seniors, Emily Grisar, hit a half court buzzer beater to win the game!
How do you encourage the team after a disappointing loss?
D’Amato: The girls hold themselves to a very high standard. It’s important for the coaching staff to remind them that although striving to be perfect seems to be the goal, the aim actually is to improve a little bit each time you step on the court. And use losses and mistakes as learning opportunities to improve upon for next time.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
D’Amato: I have a few. Over my entire coaching career, it would be watching the girls at Marquette hold up the National Championship trophy and hear them call home to tell their parents that they won.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
D’Amato: You can’t make everyone happy. The important thing is to trust that I have a strong individual moral compass and be confident that what I am doing is the best for the girls.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
D’Amato: The most important thing to me is that my former players are able to look back on their years playing in our program and have fond memories of their time here. I want Girls Basketball to be a team that people want to be a part of because it’s a blast. I’d also love for Grafton Girls Basketball to be seen as a group that is respectful, hard-working, and committed to each other and a great example of our Grafton community.
Finally, Coach D’Amato would like to take the opportunity to say how grateful he has been to have the chance to represent Grafton Girls Basketball.
D’Amato: Coaching is a true passion of mind, and I don’t take a single day for granted. Being able to work with all the amazing people and great kids is rewarding on so many levels. And I hope to continue on this path and make a positive impact on those yet to come through the Girls Basketball Program.
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