NE North Dakota News

Living in multiple countries, Mateo Funes, a first-year student-athlete at Minot State University, has embarked on a significant journey. "I was born in Vigo, Spain, but I hold a dual nationality, Argentinian and Italian. All my family members are from Argentina, and I’ve been raised with Argentinian culture throughout my life,” Funes shared. His family's travels took him from Buenos Aires to São Paulo and Lisbon before he settled in the United States.

Funes' exposure to diverse cultures allowed him to adapt easily when he arrived at Minot State University. “It changed my perspective on how to understand different people from different cultures — how to adapt yourself to it — so when coming here, it was not as big of a culture shock for me," he explained.

In his college search, Funes sought a smaller institution and found Minot State appealing due to its affordability and the soccer program. "When I began my college search, I knew I did not want to go to a big school," he said.

At MSU, Funes appreciates both the climate and the community. “Surprisingly, I do like the weather; I really like the snow... People here are very close and friendly,” he noted.

Funes joined MSU’s business and entrepreneurship programs along with their men's soccer team. “I was convinced by coach Jason Spain (head coach)... It was a great way to start the program," he stated.

Minot State Beavers FC had an impressive debut season by winning the Great Plains Soccer Conference title. They finished 11-1-1 but missed out on a national tournament spot after losing in the Region 5 title game against top-ranked University of Minnesota.

Looking ahead, Funes aims for opportunities in international business post-graduation with aspirations of starting his own business someday. “After graduating, I want to start by working for a business... maybe then I will go on to create my own business,” he mentioned.

Minot State University is committed to excellence through rigorous academic experiences and active learning environments.