Matthew Rollins ʼ05

Occupation: Co-owner, Anchor Bat Company

Matthew Rollins ʼ05 played the game of baseball for as long as he can remember. Some of his very first memories are throwing and hitting a baseball with his dad in the backyard. His goal was to play professional baseball. Ultimately, even attending college became a lifeline for me to continue to play the game. NGU was not always on his radar; in fact, he did not even commit until the very last minute. It is crazy for him to think back on now because North Greenville played such a huge role in his life. He developed some of his strongest friendships with his teammates and where he met his wife, Delecta.  

After NGU, he briefly played professional baseball, but after his baseball career was no longer an option, he had to find himself. His identity had always been in my success as an athlete. He had no plan B, and it took years to work this out. He held several jobs, and he can look back and see how each one laid a piece of the groundwork for the startup of his company.

Anchor Bat Co was a dream long before it became a reality. Since its inception, Anchor has been what people would call a family business. They have had many challenges but also their share of mountain-top blessings.  They have traveled the country as a family, had Bryce Harper as our first MLB player to use our bat in an MLB game, had Willie Geist cover our story on NBC’s Today Show, and have made countless friendships and connections over these last few years.

These mountain-top moments have given us the drive to continue to push ahead when the moments in the valley make you feel like you cannot. His family strives to walk closely on the narrow path with God daily. Their walk is far from perfect, but the pursuit of honoring and serving God is one they take seriously and have tried to weave into the story of their business intentionally. We knew we not only needed but also wanted God to be the center of Anchor. His presence and blessing are undeniable throughout his story, truly a miracle.  

Matthew credits the late Dr. Dee Bielecki, his former English professor and academic advisor, and others for pushing him to earn his degree. Matthew early on in his business named a bat model, DB1, after Dr. Bielecki.  He said she offered up enough prayer box prayers for him and that naming a bat was the least he could do to honor her and his time at NGU. He says North Greenville University is an extraordinary place, like home, and the people there are like family. Matthew is forever grateful.