Virginia's Michele Madison Inducted to Williamstown HS Hall of Achievement

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June 8, 2006

Virginia’s head field hockey coach Michele Madison has been recognized by her high school alma mater, Williamstown High School (NJ) with inclusion in that school’s Hall of Achievement. A former standout for the Braves, Madison went on to serve with distinction at the national and international level, including a stint with the USA National Team that won the bronze medal at the 1994 FIH World Cup.

“This is an honor for me to be recognized like this,” said Madison. “Going back to my high school gave me another opportunity to return to my roots and thank the people who helped me get started. Any success I have had has come with the help of numerous people, and I am happy to share it with all of them.”

Madison served for 13 years as the head coach at Michigan State University, helping the Spartans reach their first No. 1 ranking in school history in 2004, a season in which they reached the semifinals for the second time under Madison. The Williamstown native was the first Spartan field hockey coach to take her team to the national semifinals, and she was the first to win 150 games at the school. She opens the 2006 season with a career record of 208-143-8.

With the selection of Michelle Huynh-Ba as a first-team All-American in 2005, Madison extended a streak of national honors for her players, with a Spartan being represented on the All-American teams in 10 of the last 11 years.

Success for Madison’s players has not been limited to the field. In her 13 seasons in East Lansing, Madison has coached 42 Academic All-Big Ten honorees, with her players receiving NFHCA National Academic award winners 32 times during her tenure at State. The team’s academic success serves as an example of how as a head coach, Madison has made academics an important part of the success of the team.