Matt Cossa began high school at Green Hope in 1999, its inaugural year.
Matt was in the Beta Club as a freshman and sophomore. He was in the DECA club as a junior where he won two District Proficiency Awards for Retail Merchandising and was nominated to attend the Nationals.
Matt lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He was instrumental in starting the Green Hope Roller Hockey Club. As a 4-year starter for the varsity baseball team Matt was a three-time Tri-7 All-Conference selection and a two-time Green Hope HS Defensive Player of the Year.
Matt was a member of the National Honor Society as a junior and senior. He graduated with honors with a 4.5 GPA in 2003.
Matt attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As a junior, Matt was accepted into the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School just prior to losing his long battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the spring of 2006.
2009 Matt Cossa Memorial Event Summary
This years memorial event took place on an absolutely beautiful day with over 500 in attendance to join in the fun and honor Matt's memory. Among the many activities arranged by Matt Lilley for the event there were carnival games, a free-throw contest, nail and face painting, a silent auction and raffles.
Green Hope's Varsity Baseball team won the memorial game against visiting team Southeast Raleigh 10-0. The annual Friends and Alumni Softball Game ended with an 8-7 win for the maroon team.
The day ended with words of love from Morgan Clark and the Hearts for Matt balloon release. The balloons are meant to be a symbolic gesture where those in attendance are sharing in sending their thoughts to Matt.
With the help of all the volunteers and attendees, along with our sponsors, contributors and fundraisers, the Cossa family presented Dr. David Rizzieri of Duke's Comprehensive Cancer Center with a check for $32,000!
The Cossa's and the members of the event committee would like to thank everyone who came to the event or contributed in anyway for helping us raise our largest contribution yet.
