On May 30 the Student Leadership Council and The Office of Student Life and Leadership presented the Student Leadership Awards to outstanding PVCC students at the Annual Student Recognition Celebration.
This year, Puma Athletics had the honor of recognizing Matthew Stewart (Baseball) as the Golden Puma recipient. The Golden Puma Distinguished Student Leadership Award, the highest bestowed upon PVCC students annually, recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as leadership, athletics, community service, fine and performing arts, entrepreneurship and career achievement.
Matthew Stewart is a 2023 graduate of Boulder Creek High School. He came to PVCC in the Fall 2023 to join the Puma Baseball program
Matthew was injured his freshman year at PVCC. Despite his injury, he excelled in the classroom, earning NJCAA 1st Team All-Academic Honors and being named to the PVCC President's Honor Roll and a Puma Scholar Athlete.
Matthew's sophomore year, he was the starting catcher for the Puma Baseball team. Behind the plate, Matthew caught 38% of stolen base attempts and had a .990 fielding percentage, committing only 4 errors all season. Offensively, he batted .278, had four doubles, one triple, and 16 RBI.
Matthew again excelled in the classroom, earning NJCAA 1st Team All-Academic Honors and being named to the PVCC President's Honor Roll and a Puma Scholar Athlete. He also graduated with his Associates in Arts in the spring of 2025.
Despite being able to transfer after his sophomore year, Matthew decided to stay at PVCC for a third year and has been a force behind the plate for the Pumas this season. Three Puma pitchers that he has caught for have won ACCAC Pitcher of the week (four times total), he has caught 42% of stolen base attempts, and has a .986 fielding percentage. Matthew also caught the first combined no-hitter in Puma Baseball history. Offensively, he batted .261, had four doubles, one triple, on homerun and 21 RBI.
Matthew is continuing his academic success this year. He is currently on track to be a Puma Scholar-Athlete again as well as an NJCAA All-Academic Nominee.
Matthew will be graduating from PVCC at the end of this Spring semester with his Associates in Business, his second degree from PVCC. He is transferring to the University of Hawaii at Hilo in the fall where he will continue to play baseball and earn his bachelor's degree.
Congratulations Matthew!
