Mercyhurst University Athletics

Former Mercyhurst College quarterback Matt Kissell was inducted into the Mercyhurst College Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, May 21, 2005, during the Department's annual Senior Student Athlete Recognition Luncheon at the college's Egan Hall Dining Room.

Kissell owns nearly every career and one-season passing record at Mercyhurst. He played football from 1995 through 1999 as the Lakers made the transition from Division II non-scholarship football to the scholarship Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

He moved into the starting QB job in the fifth game of his sophomore season and started every game thereafter. In just 25 games as the starter, he completed 488 passes for 6524 yards and 56 touchdowns. Matt had one 500-yard game, three 400-yard, four 300-yard, and two games of 250 yards-plus. He owns the three longest pass plays in school history - 95 yards against Gannon, 90 yards against Hillsdale, and 86 yards versus Michigan Tech - all for touchdowns. His QB efficiency rating was among the best in Division II as a sophomore. As a junior, he directed Mercyhurst to victory in its first game at the D-II scholarship level, a 24-17 thriller at Wayne State. He finished second in the conference in total offense, third in passing average, and was chosen Honorable Mention. In his senior year alone, Kissell completed 231 of 446 for 2983 yards and 27 touchdowns, all one-year records, and, with four rushing TDs to his credit, factored in 31 of 38 Mercyhurst offensive touchdowns. He established new one-game marks for most plays (75), most pass attempts (60), most completions (35), most passing yards (512), and total offense (508). He was USA Football's Division II Player of the Week in mid-September but, to illustrate just how strong GLIAC football is, he was chosen only as conference Honorable Mention. Following his senior season, Matt was invited to play in the Division II All-Star Game. He graduated with a B average in accounting/finance.

Matt and his wife, Tracy, celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary in May 2023 and currently reside in Euclid, Oh.