Former MCC-Maple Woods student athlete killed in action while serving in Afghanistan

Matt Mason, who grew up in the small town of Holt, Mo. and who excelled as a student, athlete, competitor and soldier, was recently killed in action when a Chinook helicopter carrying members of the US Navy's elite SEALs was shot down in Afghanistan.

Matt Mason, who attended Kearney High School, was known as an easy-going student, and a talented linebacker and first-baseman. Although he graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in geology and geography, he began his college career at MCC-Maple Woods in 1992, where he continued his drive to be a fiercely competitive athlete, playing baseball for the (former) Centaurs.

That drive continued when he joined the SEALs, something his family and friends said he had wanted to do for many years. Even after being badly injured in Iraq in 2004, Mason was competing in the Kansas City triathlon just months later. According to family, he never considered staying out of combat an option, rejoining the SEALs and serving in multiple war zone missions.

Matt Mason was a scholar, athlete, father and distinguished serviceman. MCC-Maple Woods, Kansas City and the United States is extremely grateful for his dedicated service to his country.