Welcome to our newsletter for Madison College Student-Athletes and Coaches. Our hope is that you can learn and be inspired and encouraged to carry out Madison College’s commitment to diversity, equity, community engagement, and inclusion. We believe that understanding and respecting all cultural perspectives, experiences, beliefs and values within our athletic department and college, is paramount for creating an environment where we can individually and collectively thrive. We are devoted to inspiring change, educating our community, and advocating for all people.

The Madison College Athletics Department has unveiled the inaugural The WolfPack 9, a collection of the student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average from each of the nine varsity sports. The list of award winners actually features ten student-athletes, as two women's volleyball players tied for the top spot academically on the team.

The WolfPack 9 is a new venture under the umbrella of the department's new ONEPACK initiative to better encompass the entire student-athlete experience and development at Madison College, The WolfPack 9 is defined as:

"Each of us strengthens all of us. At the heart of Madison College Athletics are its student-athletes, who embody what it means to be a part of the WolfPack. This foundation is built upon a well-earned tradition of excellence in academics and athletics that spans generations. Madison College's core values are the threads which bind its student-athletes together and serve to unite us. We are a community where each of us strengthens all of us. Each semester one student-athlete from each of our 9 varsity sports with the highest cumulative grade point average is recognized for their scholastic achievements. "

Fall 2023

Kaylee Anzalone, Women's Basketball

Michael Carpenter, Baseball (Not pictured)

Mahala Frey, Women's Soccer

Peter Gustafson, Men's Basketball

Gabby Hack, Women's Volleyball

Phil McCloskey, Men's Soccer

Brent Schmiesing, Golf

Ethan Transue, Esports (Not pictured)

Kendall Weik, Softball

Kendall Weisensel, Women's Volleyball

WolfPack 9 Award Winners List

Student-Athletes recently attended a Mental Health Workshop on Thinking Clearly. The presentation focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CPT) and modifying negative thoughts. Thanks to John Boyne for his tremendous insights and collaboration.

Our next ONEPACK Critical Conversations event will feature Dr. Jimmy Cheffen, Madison College's Climate & Culture Program Coordinator, who will facilitate a workshop for our student-athletes focusing on cultural competence and colorblindness.

During February, we celebrate Black History Month and recognize the achievements, the history, the culture and the contributions of Black and African Americans throughout U.S. history. We also reflect on the advancements toward racial equality and the continued fight for racial justice. Check out this information from the NCAA about the impact of Black and African American's on our country's athletics history, and this ESPN website for more BHM athlete stories. Below are local Madison College events in honor of Black History Month.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of art as we celebrate Black History Month with the "Restoring the Black Woman" art exhibit which focuses on health and rebirth. Meet extraordinary artists like Bolanle Awosika, Althea Rene Miller-Sims, and Dr. Cystasany R. Turner as they present their innovative visuals at the Gallery at Truax. "Restoring the Black Women" aims to provide Black women both within and outside our institution the opportunity to process the harm they may or may not realize is forced upon them, and to provide insight on strategies we can use to protect our spirit, our dignity, and our sanity," says Black Women's Affinity Group President Chegon Bowen, who is a workplace culture strategist at Madison College. The exhibit runs through February 29th, offering ample opportunities to explore and engage with these transformative arworks.

February 7, 2024, marks the 38th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). This celebration inspires girls and women to play and be active, to realize their full power. The confidence, strength and character gained through sports participation are the very tools girls and women need to become strong leaders in sports and life. Last year we debuted our video tribute "AHEAD OF THE PACK: A Title IX & Madison College Story," which was named the top video feature in a national competition. The video pays homage to the many female coaches and student-athletes that paved the way for decades of competitive opportunity and success prior to and after the passing of Title IX in 1972. It was dedicated to every advocate and proponent of female involvement in athletics.

Speaking of Title IX, all Madison College students are required to take a sexual violence training in Blackboard by March 15th.

Your voice matters. Take the Student Voices Survey for a chance to win one of these prizes - Macbook 14.2" Display, M3 CHip (1 winne), Apple Watch Series 9 )1 winner), and $100 cash prize (5 winners). Sharing your thoughts and ideas shapes Madison College’s story. You may not know it, but Madison College has a history of letting student voices guide our decisions and our direction. The evidence is all around you. Don't believe us? Check out these stories showing how past students have shaped the Madison College of today. The Student Voices Survey will be open February 19 - March 8, 2024.

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