Join us for “Rock Reflections,” a series celebrating Trinity alumni. From 48 states to countries worldwide, our graduates are making an impact, and we'll share their stories on Trinity's website and social media.
This week, we’re reflecting with Matt Conliffe '91
Top Gun’s Maverick has nothing on Matt Conliffe, Class of 1991. The former U.S. Navy strike fighter pilot is a two-time Top Gun graduate. Yes, that Top Gun, the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School.
Matt is currently a UPS pilot, husband and father. He retired from the Navy with the rank of commander in 2019.
Matt and his wife, Alicia, have been married for 22 years. Matt said that she graciously followed him around the world, eventually settling in his hometown, across the country from her family. She is the principal of St. Michael Catholic School. Matt and Alicia have two daughters. Allison attended Sacred Heart Academy and is now at the University of Notre Dame. Lillian is a freshman at Sacred Heart. Matt and his family are parishioners at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Matt came to Trinity from St. Margaret Mary Catholic School.
Matt was an exemplary and active Trinity student. Some of his accolades include National Merit Scholar, Governor’s Scholar and Trinity Scholar. He was a member of the National Honor Society and German Club. He also played football all four years, including as a defensive guard on the undefeated 1989 and 1990 state championship teams. He wrestled for three years and threw shot put and discus on the track team for two years. He was named to the All-State football team as a defensive guard and to the Academic All-State teams for track and wrestling.
Matt is involved in the Louisville community as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish-Catholic fraternal organization that presents the Shillelagh to the winner of the annual Trinity-St. Xavier football game. He also serves his community on the board of directors of his neighborhood, as a member of the Knights of Columbus and as an election officer for primary and general elections.
What follows is an interview with Matt.
Why did you choose Trinity for high school?
My father, Ken Conliffe ’63 (Hall of Fame), and my uncle, Gary ’74, went to Trinity. My grandfather went to St. X before there was a Trinity High School but was a huge Trinity supporter. I grew up attending Trinity football games and hearing fantastic stories about the school. I observed that Trinity was welcoming and accommodating to young men of all backgrounds.
My brother, Mark, graduated from Trinity in 2000. My nephew, Gabriel, is a Trinity freshman this year. My cousins Jason ’91, Brandon ’00 and Grant ’06 also attended Trinity.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Trinity?
Being part of three undefeated state-championship football teams was special. I think my favorite was 1989, when I was a junior. It was my first year in a starting position on the varsity team. We had a great group of guys. Nobody outside of Trinity expected us to have success that year because we had graduated so much talent the year before. We worked hard, were a tight group, supported each other on and off the field, and proved everyone wrong when we brought home the state championship trophy.
What do you remember about the day-to-day life at Trinity?
Friends across a variety of classes, teams, circles and circumstances. Riding the TARC bus to and from school with several other Rocks my first two years. Being happy when I had a class in Sheehan Hall during the warm months because it was air conditioned. The daily ironing of my dress shirt and deciding which knit tie I was going to wear (classy!). Hamburgers at lunch served by the nice cafeteria staff and the clanging of a tray on the cafeteria floor followed by the vocal disapproval of the crowd. Having to work hard in John Esterle’s (H’05) math classes.
Who were some of your favorite teachers and/or coaches?
Bob Hublar H’03 changed the trajectory of my life with his AP physics class. His experiments and lectures enthralled me and were directly responsible for me studying mechanical engineering in college.
The English classes taught by Frank Ward H’01 and Greg Sysol H’03 taught me to dissect and more fully enjoy poetry and literature.
Dr. Tom Zehnder ’63 is a perennial favorite. Besides his classroom theatrics, what is most memorable to me is how much I learned without realizing how much I was learning. He was that great a teacher. When I got the results of my national economics AP exam back, I thought, “Wow! I didn’t know I knew so much about micro and macroeconomics!"
Father Dave Zettel ’58 and Herr Klaus Mittelsten H’92 gave me the gift of the German language that I still enjoy using today, especially as I travel in Europe for work.
I’m grateful for the Catholic trivia and Advanced Scripture taught by Father Joe Hemmerle and Father Don Springman H’94.
My football and wrestling coaches were very influential in my development as a young man, especially Coach Dennis Lampley H’92. Post football practice and in the offseason, after a generous amount of time letting me work out in the weight room, he would say, “It’s time for you to go home so we both can have dinner.”
About seven years ago, soon after I moved back to Louisville following a 28-year absence, I ran into Coach Lampley at Planet Fitness. We chatted for a bit about the old days and caught up and then separated to continue our workouts. Half an hour later, when I was between sets, he came up behind me and said in that so familiar coach’s voice, “Are you going to just sit there, or are you going to get to work?” This middle-aged military commander was instantly returned to a 16-year-old boy trying to impress and please his coach.
What did you do after you graduated from Trinity in 1991?
After Trinity, I attended Vanderbilt University on a Navy ROTC scholarship. I studied mechanical engineering and materials science. I played rugby for Vanderbilt and later for a Navy team.
When I graduated from Vanderbilt, I became a naval officer, naval aviator and strike fighter pilot, flying all variants of the FA-18 Hornet, as well as the F-16, and deploying for several years aboard aircraft carriers around the world. I was involved in the first strikes into Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, and flew many combat missions afterwards.
I graduated twice from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and instructed tactics. Living mostly in the western U.S., my family and I also lived overseas in Japan and Germany.
My final assignment of my 24-year active-duty career was as vice commander of a large naval air station in the Mojave Desert. It was during that time that I met an actor of some renown that had attended the school on Poplar Level Road in the late 1970s. I played a small role in helping film the “Top Gun” sequel. That is a story for another time!
(The actor, a former Louisvillian originally known as Tommy Mapother, invited Matt to pilot his vintage P-51 Mustang fighter plane the next day. Unfortunately, his schedule did not allow it. They also engaged in some good-natured ribbing about the Trinity-St. X rivalry.)
Since retiring from the Navy in 2019 and returning home to Louisville, I’ve spent the last seven years flying for UPS. I’m currently flying the Boeing 747, primarily on international routes.
What effect did Trinity have on your life?
It gave me brothers for life. It prepared me well academically for success at a challenging university and taught me both discipline and the value of hard work. It also helped me grow in my faith and develop as a Catholic young man.
Why do you support Trinity years after graduating?
Trinity was a spiritual home to me not only during my four years there, but when I left Louisville and traveled around the world. I don’t have sons of my own to send to Trinity, but I tell everyone that is considering where to send their son for high school the same thing: In addition to a top quality academic and Catholic education, above all, Trinity builds young men of character.
I contribute to the Trinity Annual Fund for financial aid so that current and future students can have the same amazing and fulfilling experience that I had.
Share an alumni story!
Do you know a Trinity alumnus with a compelling story? Please reach out to Travis Wagoner '90, Alumni Relations & Communications, at 502-736-2122 or wagoner@trinityrocks.com.
A History of Greatness
Since 1953, Trinity has benefitted from great teachers, resources, and activities to shape and guide promising boys into great men. The 106 students from our first graduating class have been followed by a legacy of academic, personal and cultural achievement. To learn more about our proud heritage, visit https://www.trinityrocks.com/o/trinityfoundation/page/about-us.
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