University of North Carolina Athletics
Matt Laycock: Giving Forward
September 23, 2026 | Men's Soccer
Philanthropic gifts are about giving back. Matt Laycock's is also about giving forward.
During his time at Carolina, Laycock '01 witnessed UNC's men's soccer program rise to become both an ACC and NCAA champion. But the lasting impact was about more than trophies. It was seeing what becomes possible when teammates commit to one another and to a shared standard of excellence. That stayed with Laycock long after he traded his jersey and the soccer field for a suit and tie in the business world.
"Everything I learned playing soccer at Carolina has been highly applicable in the business world," Laycock said. "Soccer taught me that success comes from putting in the time and effort, having grit, building genuine connections, and supporting the people around you. You learn how to work with teammates who have different personalities, perspectives, and backgrounds, and how to put your own ego aside for the greater good of the team. You need conviction and confidence to succeed, but you also have to recognize that no one person can do it alone. Ultimately, the whole process is bigger than any one individual as it's about coming together, trusting one another, and working toward something bigger than yourself."
Nearly three decades after first stepping onto the field as a Carolina student-athlete and team captain, Laycock continues to invest in the program that helped shape him by making a $250,000 gift to Carolina men's soccer. Motivated by gratitude, Laycock is investing in the future of men's soccer at a pivotal time for the UNC soccer program and the sport of soccer overall.
"I look back on my time at Carolina as a truly transformational period in my life," he said. "Being on scholarship was incredibly meaningful to me and my family, and I'll always be deeply grateful for the opportunity to play here and represent the University. So many of the opportunities I've been afforded in life trace directly back to Carolina – from studying at the Kenan-Flagler Undergraduate Business School and playing soccer to the relationships I built across the University and getting my first job at J.P. Morgan. It opened doors I never could have imagined, introduced me to people who have had a lasting impact on my life, and gave me a foundation that continues to shape who I am today. I'll always carry a tremendous sense of gratitude for what Carolina has meant to me and my family."
Laycock has remained connected to the men's soccer program since he left, first by offering mentorship and career development and by recruiting UNC graduates for financial positions within the firms he worked with. Over a decade ago, he joined the UNC Board of Visitors and became more heavily involved with the Kenan-Flagler Business School as a member of its Board of Advisors. He remains highly committed to continuing to build strong Carolina relationships and growing them, both through his time and engaging alums of the University and men's soccer program.
"During my four years as a student-athlete, I'm incredibly proud that we continued to build the men's soccer team the Carolina way," Laycock said. "That spirit is still there today that includes a commitment to excellence, a willingness to put in the hard work, and also to represent the University on and off the field with the highest levels of integrity and respect. You always want to win, of course, but at Carolina you want to win the right way and in a way that honors what this University stands for. Those values have stayed with me long after my playing days, and they are a big part of why giving back means so much to me and my family. I hope this gift helps carry that tradition forward, supports the next generation of student-athletes, and keeps Carolina men's soccer at the forefront for years to come."
Carolina gave Laycock competition and camaraderie and the ability to grow as a person on and off the field. His deep roots to Carolina and his love for all things Carolina blue mean a stronger future for a team he loves. Laycock's support means current and future men's soccer student-athletes will continue to have an exceptional experience.
"With so much changing across the college soccer landscape and college athletics as a whole, there has never been a more important time to keep moving forward and to build on what has come before and create an even stronger future."
For more information or to make a gift, please contact Connor Weishaar at The Rams Club at 919-455-1488 or connor@ramsclub.com. You can also make a gift to the men's soccer operating endowment by clicking here.
