Matt Ginn is not your typical Scorpion student-athlete.

At 26, he is the oldest student-athlete to wear a Scorpion uniform in the NAIA era, but for good reason - Matt is a veteran of the United States Air Force.

He will be playing outfield and first base for the Scorpions when the 2010 season opens January 23, and he is counting the days for that season opener.

"I loved it serving in the military," Ginn said. "I had thought of going back and re-enlisting. I admire some of my friends who are still over there. But there were some other things I wanted to do in my life, and one was to get my degree and try to play baseball."

He grew up in the Chicago area, graduating from Evergreen Park High School in Chicago in 2002. He played high school football, basketball and baseball. "I liked football the most. I played tight end and was bigger than most of the other guys."

After graduating from high school, he worked and attended Moraine Valley Community College in Chicago for one semester, but did not participate in athletics. He joined the Air Force in 2004, with a little inspiration from his grandfather, who served in the Army Air Corps in World War II.

"I figured that I could go to college later, after serving my four years in the Air Force," Ginn said. "I just wanted to do something that I would not have been able to do in college."

His military duty started with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio for six months, then to Spokane, Wash. for survival training, to Pensacola, Fla. for water survival, and to Biloxi, Miss. for air traffic control school.

Ginn's longest training stint was one year at aerial gunner school and flight training in Albuquerque N.M. before he was assigned his permanent duty station in Tucson, Ariz. in April 2006.

His assignment was to be part of a rescue squadron on dangerous search-and-rescue missions in the Middle East. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006, serving as the aerial gunner on a four-man helicopter crew that included a pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer. Two rescue specialists sometimes accompanied the crew.

"We didn't think it about as being dangerous, because that's what we were trained to do," Ginn said.  "We trusted each other with our lives. Everybody knew what we need to do and we get the job done."

After a five-month stint in Iraq, he returned to his duty station in Tucson for five months. He was then deployed to Afghanistan for another six months.

He was honorably discharged in March 2008 with the rank of Senior Airman.

Ginn attended Moraine Valley for the 2008-09 academic year and played baseball. During the 2009 season, he batted .320, had a slugging percentage of .760, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 40 runs as a left-fielder. He was named to the Illinois Skyway Conference All-Conference Team.

He was interested in continuing his college career in an area of the country with better weather, and submitted a recruiting form to UTB/TSC last spring. He came to visit in May, and loved the campus. "You can't beat this weather," Ginn said. "And the new REK Center was another big reason I came down here."

Ginn is a sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining. With his military background, his work ethic is a huge bonus for Scorpion head coach Bryan Aughney.

"Matt's work ethic is one the tops on our team," Aughney said. "Whether it's morning conditioning, weights, or practice - he comes everyday with the same attitude and approach - to get better each day. He isn't a real vocal guy, and he's not flashy - he just does the job and moves on the next."

Ginn realizes he will be playing with guys who may be as many as eight years younger than he is.

"It gives me more incentive to work harder that they let some old guy take their position," Ginn said. "I love competing and it should make everybody else that much better."

Ginn has experience playing in the outfield, but will also be competing for playing time at first base.

"We moved him to first base early this fall and he has done a great job there -- his glove and footwork are improving each day," Aughney said. "And with his desire and work ethic I know he will find a way to be out there. We are working on some things hitting wise, just trying to get all his energy working together - and when it's right he can hit a ton. I am looking forward to seeing him progress further and he should add some pop to our lineup."

Ginn does not have any personal goals, beyond than doing whatever is needed to make the Scorpions a better team.

"I definitely want to contribute, I definitely want to win," Ginn said. "Everything is still up for grabs. Everybody still has to compete. The team goals are my individual goals."

Ginn compared playing team sports with his life in the helicopters with his crewmates. "The Air Force definitely instills that team concept into you, but it's learned too. Just like baseball, when one person makes a mistake, everybody suffers for it."

Ginn plans to stay at UTB/TSC for three remaining years and receive his bachelor's degree. He hopes to attend physical therapy school later.

"He is an outstanding young man," Aughney said. "On the baseball side he has some work to do, but he will get there. But on the life side, his maturity is something I hope many of our guys look at. What he has seen, and what he has been through is no comparison to that of the playing field."