Brunswick junior offensive tackle Matty Augustine announces commitment to attend University of Notre Dame, where he will continue his football/academic career

By David Fierro on February 21, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by Wayne Lin from Brunswick School:** Brunswick School junior Matty Augustine proudly wears the Fightin’ Irish of Notre Dame hat after he announced that he made his decision to attend Notre Dame, where he will play Division I football.

The recipient of more than several dozen offers to play football at the Division I level, many of which are Power Five conference schools, Brunswick School junior Matty Augustine decided that it was time to announce his decision as to where he was going to continue his academic/athletic career.

Joined by his family, Augustine sat down and faced his Brunswick School classmates at the school’s Baker Theater yesterday and shared his exciting news.

“I am excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and football career at the University of Notre Dame,” Augustine told the student body, which cheered loudly immediately after his announcement.

Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State were Augustine’s top-five choices and the 6-foot-7, 280-pound Augustine, an offensive tackle on the Bruins’ football team, explained his decision to become a member of the Fighting Irish.

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Matty Augustine of Brunswick School addresses the crowd at Brunswick’s Baker Theater, where he announced his decision to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will continue his academy and football career. Pictured with him are his father, Neil and mother, Kim. Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan were his final five choices.

“Through this journey, there has been one college that I felt something special that I didn’t feel at any other school,” Augustine said during his speech to the crowd at Brunswick’s Baker Theater on Feb. 20. “I felt a sense of belonging and family and that’s why I truly love this place. Growing up here, the small close-knit community has given me a sense of comfort. I got the same feeling on this campus. I wanted to go to a school known for its strong football program, as well as academics and a lot of traditions. From the moment I stepped on to that campus, the coaching staff, the team, the recruits, everyone I met made me feel instantly at home and at peace. Just like Brunswick, where everyone is one big family.”

After announcing his commitment to Notre Dame, Augustine put on the Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish baseball hat, as the gathering enthusiastically applauded.

“It’s great, it has been on my mind the last couple of months, so it’s good to finally get it out there and tell everyone,” Augustine told Greenwich Sports Beat of his collegiate Division I decision. “I’ve been committed to the school for three weeks now. I told the coaches. But now, I’m letting everyone know and it’s an amazing feeling.”

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Brunswick School student Matty Augustine is joined by his parents and siblings after he announced his decision to attend Notre Dame. He will play football at Notre Dame as a freshman in 2025.

Indeed, receiving offers from so many schools to play football at the Division I level, gave Augustine plenty to think about and ponder the past numerous months.

“There’s been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of stressful nights – nights thinking about if I’m going to make the right decision or not,” Augustine noted. “Now knowing that I did, it has been a smile on my face ever since.”

Joining Matty on the stage at Brunswick’s Baker Theater were his parents Kim and Neil and his siblings, Alexa, Daniel and Sarah. During his speech before the crowd, he paid tribute to his parents and siblings for their guidance, support and encouragement over the years and thanked his fellow Brunswick students and the school’s community for their assistance.

He recognized Brunswick Head of School Tom Philip, the school’s administrators and the entire Bruins football coaching staff for their outstanding support and inspiration.

“Every single one of you here watching have played an important role in this journey so far, so thank you,” Augustine said. “Thank you to everyone at Brunswick. There is no place that I’d rather be than here with my Brunswick friends.”

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Brunswick junior Matty Augustine is joined by Brunswick football team’s coaching staff after Augustine announced his commitment to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will play football. The announcement occurred on Feb. 20, 2024, at Brunswick’s Baker Theater. To Augustine’s left is head coach Wayne McGillicuddy.

“We have the best coaching staff out of every high school,” Augustine continued. “They always have positive energy and they are always ready to push us to our limits.”

Brunswick head football coach Wayne McGillicuddy has seen Augustine’s great progress on the football field each season.

“At the end of the day, words can’t describe how proud I am for him,” McGillicuddy said of Augustine. “All of his hard work and everything he’s done has paid off. It’s a great fit academically and athletically for him.”

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Matty Augustine, center, is joined by his parents, Kim and Neil and siblings, Sarah, Nicole and Daniel, outside of Brunswick School following a ceremony featuring Matty’s announcement that he will attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will play Division I football for the Fighting Irish.

Augustine will begin his senior season for the Bruins football squad in the fall.

“I’m excited for the season,” McGillicuddy noted. “He will take the next step to develop his strength and I’m excited to have him for one more year.”

Before beginning his football career at Notre Dame, Augustine knows he and the Bruins have unfinished business to attend to this fall.

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Matty Augustine, right, an offensive tackle, is joined by Brunswick head football coach Wayne McGillicuddy after Augustine announced his commitment to attend the University of Notre Dame. The announcement occurred on Feb. 20, 2024, before the student body at Brunswick’s Baker Theater.

“Two years ago, we were the No. 1 team in New England and this year, we fell short, we were 5-4,” Augustine noted. “We didn’t even make it to a bowl game. So, we have to get back to work and grind in the offseason. Once the season comes, we’ll put everything we have on the field.”

Augustine appreciates what he has learned from McGillicuddy and the Brunswick football coaching staff.

“I dropped football after playing two years of youth football,” Augustine said. “Then Cuddy (McGillicuddy) kind of re-introduced it to me and I’m forever grateful that he did that for me. It’s been a true honor getting to know him and the whole staff. They are all amazing guys and it’s helped us all be great athletes and great people on and off the field.”

Ethan Long, a safety, who is a Brunswick junior, also recently committed to play football at Notre Dame, after enjoying an outstanding junior season on the team this past fall. Miles Walker, a 2023 Brunswick graduate, is an offensive lineman at Ohio State University.

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Brunswick School junior Matty Augustine hugs his mother Kim after he announced that he will attend the University of Notre Dame. Matty will play football at Notre Dame.

“It goes back to Miles, who helped open up that door to build the connections,” McGillicuddy said. “Miles getting to where he was allowed me to put Matty in front of them, Ethan in front of them, and make the connections and build the trust.”

One of college football’s most prestigious programs, Notre Dame has won 11 consensus national championships and has an additional unclaimed co-national championships, for 22 national titles overall. Coached by Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame posted a record of 10-3 this past season.

“I will definitely be watching every game, definitely be out to a couple,” Augustine said. “I will definitely be invested in the season.”

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Matty Augustine of Brunswick School puts on a Notre Dame hat after he announced his decision to go to the University of Notre Dame, where he will continue his academic/football career. Joining his on the stage is his parents and siblings. The announcement was made before the Brunswick student body at Baker Theater.

Augustine was recruited as an offensive tackle by Notre Dame and the many other colleges that made him offers.

“We have a great O-line class coming in,” Augustine said of Notre Dame. “There’s two other O-linemen that I’m close with, so I’m super excited to grow and develop alongside those two and see where our future takes us.”

**Photo by Wayne Lin of Brunswick School:** Brunswick’s Matty Augustine waves to the crowd after he made known his decision to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will play football.

The future Notre Dame offensive lineman reiterated why he chose to continue his academic/athletic career in South Bend, Indiana.

“I grew up here my whole life, I’ve been here at Brunswick 14 years,” he said. “So, to be able to go to a school that has a strong, close-knit family feel to it, similar to here – that’s why I love that school so much.”