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University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

PITT-JOHNSTOWN MOUNTAIN CATS

Hall of Fame

Matt Lushko

  • Class
    1997
  • Induction
    2019
  • Sport(s)
    Men's Basketball
        Head Coach Bob Rukavina knew exactly what he was getting when he signed local standout Matt Lushko to play basketball at Pitt-Johnstown.  Mr. Lushko, Ferndale Area High School and Cambria County's All-Time Leading Scorer, did not disappoint as he went on to break the Mountain Cats' All-Time Career-3-point Field Goals record and set the school record for 3-pointers in a game.
        Mr. Lushko came to Pitt-Johnstown and made an immediate impact on his way to helping guide Pitt-Johnstown to the program's first ever NCAA Division II Regional Tournament berth in 1996-97.
        During that historic season that saw the Mountain Cats post a 21-6 overall record, Mr. Lushko averaged 11.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.  He became Pitt-Johnstown's seventh 1,000-point scorer and wrapped-up his career with 1.046 points and a program best 165 3-point field goals.
        Mr. Lushko also tied Renaldo Gates' school-record for 3-pointers in a game with seven.
        More than 20 years later, Mr. Lushko's name still remains on several of the Pitt-Johnstown all-time record lists.  He currently stands in 26th-place on the Mountain Cat All-Time Scoring List with 1,046 points, ninth on the ninth on the career 3-Point Field Goals List with 165, and 11th on the All-Time Career 3-point Field Goals Per Game List at 1.50.
        Prior to his arrival at Pitt-Johnstown, Mr. Lushko, a First-Team Pennsylvania All-State selection, established himself as one of the best scorers in the Greater Johnstown Area has ever seen.  Mr. Lushko holds the Ferndale Area High School and Cambria Country record for scoring with 2.541 points.  He also holds Ferndale Area High School's records for points in a single season (938) and points in a game (51).
        After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1997, Mr. Lushko spent 15 years as an Athletic Trainer and Physical Therapist Assistant at Vantage Physical Therapy.  For the past nine years, Mr. Lushko worked as the Area Director for the Laurel Highlands Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) where he was promoted to the State Director of Western PA for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in September 2018.
        In addition, Mr. Lushko is a certified presenter for the 3Dimentional Coaches Institute, a company that provides a framework that empowers coaches at all levels to fulfill their transformational purpose by helping them become fundamentally sound, skilled at coaching the mind, and focused on developing the heart of their athletes.  He is also a certified member of the John Maxwell Team, a group of leaders trained in the areas of coaching, training, and speaking that aid in personal and professional growth to individuals and organizations.
        Mr. Lushko is also active in the community.  He serves as a Deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church and coaches fifth and sixth grade basketball in the Ferndale Area Community Youth Basketball League.
        Mr. Lushko, his wife Amy, and their three children, Mattie, Alex, and Mae, reside in the Ferndale section of Johnstown.
        "It is an honor to be recognized with all the other great athletes that have come through Pitt-Johnstown, but even more than that, it makes me think of my family," Mr. Lushko said.  "I am blessed and grateful that I had a mom, dad, and brothers that supported and encouraged me every step of the way allowing me to be successful both on and off the court."
 
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