TOWSON, Md. – Matt Vetter enjoyed an awesome homecoming by fellowshipping with Towson University student-athletes and athletic department staff members during the annual Minnegan Day event inside of the commodious Towson Center Tuesday night.
 
A 2010 Towson alum and former lacrosse standout, Vetter occupied the same seats that the current group of student-athletes did not that long ago. He was engaging, inspiring and funny as he shared the story of his family's rise into one of the nation's top entrepreneurs. Vetter is part of a company called Tassemae's, an all-natural leader of fresh dressing and condiments.
 
"It was a total honor to come back to my alma mater and speak to the student-athletes," Vetter said. "I remember not too long ago, I was in the stands listening to somebody talk. For me to be called upon and come back to speak is really amazing. I want them to take advantage of their opportunity while they are here as it goes by really quick. Life just hands you opportunities and it just depends what you do with them."

Vetter spoke passionately to the Tigers as he encouraged them to "attack each day violently." He captivated the student-athletes by urging them to "continue to create positive habits" and "always hone in on small details." Those words have been the foundation of his success.
 
He also told every student-athlete to "take advantage of your time at Towson" and he reminded them that sometimes "you can fail your way to success."
 
Vetter provided plenty of examples that showcased his determination and work-ethic like handing out samples of his dressing to people for eight hours while trying to establish the company. He learned from the failures of not making the dressing quite right. Through it all, Vetter displayed perseverance in getting his salad dressing into stores and supermarkets.
 
Tessemae's All Natural is an organic condiment company that makes salad dressing and condiments with real, whole, source food ingredients.  The Vetter brothers, Greg, Brian, and Matt, launched the brand in 2009 at their local Whole Foods Market in Annapolis, Maryland, using a simple recipe created and used by their mom throughout their childhood. 
 
Available in Whole Foods Markets, Kroger, Safeway, Target, The Fresh Market, Ahold banners, and Earthfare retailers across the country, Tessemae's products are creating a new standard in salad dressings and raising consumer awareness on the importance of consuming real, clean ingredients.
 
One of his brothers, who was supposed to be at Towson last night, couldn't make it because he had a meeting with Chipotle to discuss a potential partnership. The student-athletes exploded in cheer when Chipotle was mentioned.
 
Vetter's message resonated with the student-athletes.
 
"This was the greatest thing ever," men's lacrosse junior transfer Jimmy Case said. "With myself growing up, I had to fight for a lot of the things I earned in my life. Hearing his story that he made it from the ground up with a company like that and ended up making a lot of money, it makes me feel that I am in the right place and I am on the right path in order to be successful like that. Having him speak to us makes me feel like I am going to graduate with my degree, have a nice job and be successful."
 
The evening concluded with Vetter shaking hands, speaking with student-athletes individually and eating a Rita's water ice.
 
"It's fun to get all of the student-athletes in one room together," Towson Director of Athletics Tim Leonard said. "This is the only time that we do that. This year was a lot of fun to have Matt come over because he's so young. Just a few years ago, he was sitting in the audience listening to the Minnegan Day speaker. The kids could understand him and they could see themselves being him someday. The success that he and his brother Brian have had is phenomenal. It's one of those true American success stories that you love. It's good to see that one of our own has accomplished that."
 
About "Doc" Minnegan
Born in 1902, he was a teacher, coach, physical education department chairman and director of athletics at Towson for more than four decades. A member of three halls of fame, Minnegan founded or supported the founding of many of Towson's athletics teams, including football in 1969. He coached soccer, baseball, basketball, track and swimming.

He is also responsible for Towson changing its nickname from "Golden Knights" to "Tigers." Minnegan often called his soccer teams his "Tigers," and the name stuck.

Minnegan had an effect on athletics locally and internationally. In addition to his coaching duties at Towson, he also founded soccer clinics for thousands of Maryland's youth. He is the only American to publish an article in the English Football Association Yearbook, and he was appointed by the U.S. State Department for overseas training programs for American troops after World War II and during the conflict in Korea.
 
He died in 2002, two weeks shy of his 100th birthday.

The Tiger football stadium was named after him in 1983 and stood until 2002 when Unitas Stadium was built. The playing field at Unitas remains Minnegan field in tribute to "Doc."