Family members, teammates, colleagues, friends and university officials all spoke of memories they had of Yount to a crowd of more than 300 people.
Jessica Burger
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Candlelit and quiet faces gathered in the University Union Plaza on Thurdsay night to remember the life of a Cal Poly student, 20-year-old Matt Yount, who died two weeks ago while studying abroad in Seville, Spain.
Family members, teammates, colleagues, friends and university officials all spoke of memories they had of Yount to a crowd of more than 300 people.
“I remember him out on the golf course, so full of energy” Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong said, along with many, who described Yount as eager, honest and open — but mostly, fun.
“Matt made it to every 6 a.m. practice — and every house party before,” golf team member Andrew Ichikawa said. “And of course he made the team. That’s how he was: living and coming back for seconds.”
“Matt Yount was a dreamer,” Ichikawa said.
Yount died on Nov. 21 after he jumped into a river at 3 a.m. hand-in-hand with a friend. A current caught Yount, separated the two, and authorities found his body five hours later.
Cal Poly sends almost 900 students abroad every year, according to Monica Schecter, the director of the study abroad program at Cal Poly, who got to know Yount during the months he spent preparing for his trip to Spain.
“He had a memorable face, with an unforgettable smile,” Schechter said. “Always smiling from ear-to-ear, he loved life.”
Men’s golf head coach Scott Cartwright said Yount was outgoing and eager.
“He really touched a lot of us,” Cartwright said.
Former teammates remembered Yount for his fun spirit and sense of humor, sharing tales of old practices and practical jokes they often played on Yount, who was younger. They said he had the best sense of humor on the team.