Erin Matson featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports for 2025

North Carolina's women's field hockey head coach Erin Matson has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 2025 Sports 2025 — a group of athletes and executives who have a lasting impact on sports. The former player, whose tenure on the field lasted from 2018-2022, saw her obtain four national championships. Afterward, she went on to win another trophy as a coach in 2023, less than two months following graduation.

"Erin Matson, 24, who won four national championships as a field hockey player at the University of North Carolina, transitioned to coaching at age 22 and won another title in her first season leading the program," as written in Forbes 30 Under 30 Sports 2025.

In addition, Matson was named as the 2024 ACC Coach of the Year following a 20-1 record. The field hockey team fell to Saint Joseph's in the NCAA Semifinals by a score of 2-1 on Friday, November 22.

Despite all of her accomplishments as both a player and head coach — the Chadds Ford, Pennslyvania native was denied a tryout for Team USA's field hockey team. Matson's inability to do so raised alarms for UNC fans and others.

"The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported the ruling, saying USA Field Hockey had said Matson was not eligible based on a selection process established in June 2023." per Associated Press on April 5, 2024.

Regardless, the show still goes on and did not influence Forbes' selection of its magazine or whether Matson should be included.

With the offseason at hand, there will be a ton of accolades and a chance to add to her resume considering what has happened thus far.

Another NCAA championship? Possibly. 2025 ACC Coach of the Year? Anything is possible for Matson, athletic director Bubba Cunningham hired her for a reason.

“She knows how to inspire, listen, teach, and win – all qualities that that will translate well to the sidelines and make her a terrific head coach," Cunningham said per GoHeels.