Football, Baseball and Hockey
Robert Matteson is remembered as a versatile and accomplished athlete at Carleton. He won a total of nine letters in football, baseball and hockey. Matteson was co-captain of the 1936 football team that had a 6-1 overall record and tied for the Midwest Conference championship. He also was a standout in intramural competition, winning championships in heavyweight boxing, table tennis and squash.
During World War II, Matteson received the Silver Star for the capture of SS General Ernst Kaltenbrunner, head of the Nazi Gestapo. He served with the 80th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army, was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and four battle stars, and given a battlefield commission by General George Patton.
The Matteson name has long been associated with Carleton athletics. The Matteson Memorial Basketball Award, a memorial to Robert’s brother, Charles Matteson, who died during his sophomore year at Carleton, was established by their parents in 1934. The Matteson Award has been given annually to the member of the Carleton basketball team judged to possess the most outstanding abilities in basketball and scholarship and the highest qualities of character and sportsmanship.